According to the Northern Ireland Mushroom Growers Association (NIMGA), that the industry will ‘disappear’ in the next few years if the UK government does not act to include the role of mushroom picker on its Shortage Occupation List.
The SOL lists occupations where there is a shortage of suitable skilled labour in the UK, and where it is sensible to fill those shortages with migrant workers through a skilled work visa. The occupations on the list are given some dispensations within the immigration rules, designed to make it easier for employers to access migrant labour to fill vacancies in those areas of identified shortage.
The number of mushroom farms has reduced from 296 in 1991, to just 10 in 2023, with more at risk of closure and others considering moving their businesses to the Republic.
Source: farminglife.com