Environment minister Andrea Leadsom’s aim to boost innovation and productivity in agriculture will be hollow without a commitment to resolving an emerging fresh produce labour shortage, the British Growers Association (BGA) has warned.
Speaking at the annual NFU Conference, the Defra secretary outlined five key principles behind the development of policy for agriculture including trade and innovation and productivity.
She highlighted her desire to encourage a greater understanding of the food chain and boost talent, innovation and productivity in the sector by building on initiatives like McDonalds Progressive Young Farmers and developing new technologies to “compliment the workforce” and increase on-farm automation.
On the issue of foreign seasonal workers, the Defra minister said she had “heard loud and clear the vital role they play in many farm businesses, not least in the horticultural sector”, but she warned that “we mustn’t forget that a key factor behind the vote the EU was to control immigration.”
In response, BGA chief executive Jack Ward said: “We believe that innovation and improvements in productivity are vital, and in the long-term these things can go some way to resolving the problems around labour shortage in this and other industries.
“In this regard, I do believe that Producer Organisations have a vital role to play, and we are urging the government to make a commitment on the future of these.
“We understand that the control of migration was a major issue in the referendum, but I don’t think anyone wants to undermine the food and farming at this critical time, which is why we need an urgent solution to labour shortage, as well as a long-term commitment.
“I am encouraged by David Davis’ comments yesterday (21 February) in Latvia when he said that we are not about to suddenly shut the door on low-skilled EU migrants. We do need economic reality to take precedence over political rhetoric.
“I also question the emphasis on exports by the Secretary of State, when there is so much potential for growing markets in the UK. We need to work with the government to ensure that UK growers take back a greater proportion of the UK food market, before considering the potential for greater exports.”
