The first comprehensive survey of employment in horticulture started this week.
The study, funded by the HDC, has the backing of the NFU, HTA and other industry bodies and aims to increase industry's collective knowledge of the size and nature of the labour force in UK horticulture.
As a significant component of growers' costs, it is vital that near-market research and development reflects the high labour input of horticulture. HDC will therefore use the information produced to direct future research projects.
"We know surprisingly little about our most important resource: the people the industry employs,” said Colin Harvey, HDC chairman. "We urge every grower to take part in the survey so that its findings are as authoritative as possible and answers the questions about labour use in horticulture."
NFU national horticultural board chairman Richard Hirst added: “…this employment project will provide invaluable information about the nature and extent of the horticultural labour force. This information can also be used to inform our other work including the AWB wage negotiations.”
The confidential survey is being run by economics consultant, Brookes West. No grower's details will be identified and none of the completed questionnaires will be seen by HDC or any other interested body, said managing director Graham Brookes.
The project aims to identify:
*The number of persons employed by the industry
*Whether they are full-time, part-time or seasonal
*The number of hours they work
*The kind of work they are involved with
*The source of supply of the workforce
*The contribution labour makes to total costs
*Changes in utilisation of labour over the past five years
Brookes West has set up a 9am to noon telephone helpline (020 8763 0466) for any grower wanting assistance in completing the form.
Growers will have access to the main findings of the survey which will be published early in 2006.
No comments yet