The document, released last week by the Home Office recognises the need of many growers for short-term causal labour during their season.

The propositions in the paper come following last week's announcement of an extension to the number of permits granted under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) over the next two years. The government proposes to review the operation of SAWS and build on its principles to see how the needs of the sector might be better met.

The NFU is suggesting that SAWS is too restrictive as it only applies to seasonal work over the summer whereas casual labour is required at other times of year by the sector.

'We have been working hard to increase the number of seasonal worker permits to plug the shortage that many farmers and growers experience so we are very pleased that the White Paper recognises this need,' said Bob Fiddaman, NFU employment and education committee chairman. 'The fact that the paper recognises that the principles of SAWS should be built on rather than just calling for an extension of the scheme itself is also very welcome.'

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