Cap on migrants affects fruit trade

The decision by the government to cap the number of migrant workers allowed to enter Britain from the new European Union states will have a negative effect on fruit harvests, according to farmers.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned ministers that seasonal workers are needed for strawberries and other fruit crops and a shortage of fruit pickers this year could see salad vegetables and soft fruit left to rot.

Farmers are claiming that fruit and vegetable shortages could occur this summer because of the lack of migrant workers, pushing up prices of strawberries and other native produce.

Calling on immigration minister, Liam Byrne, to rethink government policy on migrants from Romania and Bulgaria, the NFU also urged the government to extend the seasonal agricultural workers scheme (SAWS) quota to other countries, such as Ukraine.

A statement from the NFU read: "There is a serious problem with the availability of workers for this year's harvest. There is a potential for some crops to remain unharvested, although businesses will do everything they can to draft in the necessary labour to prevent crops being left in the ground."

Warm weather this spring has also brought the soft fruit season forward, when students have not yet finished their courses, and more workers are needed to meet the shortfall.

The number of eastern European workers coming to harvest fruit in Britain has fallen over the past few years, as standards of living rise in many nations, immigration restrictions take effect and EU workers choose to come to Britain to work in other fields.

© Adfero Ltd
Date:11/06/2007 09:50:05