North-east MP Andrew Bowie has welcomed the release of 10,000 more seasonal agriculture visas as part of the UK Government’s Food Strategy. Defra announced another 8000 horticulture and 2000 poultry visas to expand the Seasonal Workers Pilot from its existing 30,000 places, and will extend the scheme for another year.
This will allow workers from across the globe to work on UK farms for up to six months, with “particular recognition” for Scotland’s need for additional seasonal labour in the likes of soft fruit.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Mr Bowie met immigration minister Kevin Foster in March on behalf of a sector that experienced £36.5 million worth of crop waste due to lack of labour last year.
He said: “Boosting food production is a key aim of this strategy and I believe that begins with getting the right workforce in place. Leaving food in the ground or on the vine ratchets up the cost of what does make it to market – that’s a problem as the UK and the western world face a cost of living crisis.”
Source: grampianonline.co.uk