UK

BPC asks for a post-Brexit visa system for migrant workers in the industry

Poultry

Brexit could drive up the costs of labour by 50% and push food prices up, says British Poultry Council Chief Executive, Richard Griffiths.

Posted on Sep 29 ,12:21

BPC asks for a post-Brexit visa system for migrant workers in the industry

British poultry businesses fear the impact of Brexit on their enterprises. According to British Poultry Council representatives, 60% of the poultry sector’s workforce is from Europe and losses are going to be consistent if the migrant workers are forced to return to their native countries.
"Whilst there is a section on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) and references to approach to EEA migration in Northern Ireland causing difficulties for the agri-food sector, it is disappointing that there is a lack of references to the impact of EEA migration on the need for permanent workers in the agri-food industries", said the industry body in a press release.
Right now, the sector accounts for 37,000 jobs, with 60% of the poultry sector’s workforce coming from the EU Member States. "It is vital that the UK secures access to high-quality labour by introducing a flexible visa system. Given that 60% of the poultry sector’s workforce is from Europe, and that Brexit could drive up the costs of labour by 50%, maintaining free-flowing access to migrant labour is crucial to the competitiveness and sustainability of the industry. For the poultry industry to thrive, we would like to see a post-Brexit visa system that allows migrant labour to enter the UK to do jobs that British labour does not presently have the capacity or inclination to take on", requires British Poultry Council.
At the same time, losing the workforce in the poultry sector will impact the consumer's budget, current projections indicating that there's going to be an increase of 25% in food prices.
"In the case of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, our producers’ nightmare scenario is a massive loss of workforce. This will have a knock-on effect on the cost of production which will affect the price of food. The latest economic modelling predicts prices rising by around 25% in the event of a no-deal", explained Richard Griffiths, British Poultry Council Chief Executive.

 NEWSLETTER - Stay informed with the latest news!

Comments





Similar articles

WALES

HCC’s campaign reaps major results

Featuring the authentic voices of the Welsh farming community, the ‘Uniquely Welsh. Experts...


Read more Read more
GERMANY

Vion strengthens demand-driven chain concept Good Farming Balance for the future

Ever since Vion introduced Good Farming Star in 2010, the company has been at the forefront of bu...


Read more Read more
DENMARK

Danish Crown becomes co-owner of promising climate technology

It may sound strange that a burning gas torch at a slurry tank can reduce the climate footprint o...


Read more Read more
Websolutions by Angular Software and SpiderClass