The number of migrant workers picking fruit on Kent farms in the United Kingdom is down by around a fifth on last year, a grower has claimed.
September typically marks the start of the top fruit season where apples and pears are finally harvested after months of work.
However, farmers have faced particular challenges this year, with the weather often conspiring against them, as well as the uncertain climate that lies ahead in a post-EU Britain looming large.
One of the major issues facing Kent after Brexit is the access to labour from overseas, with Thanet North MP Sir Roger Gale warning the QEQM Hospital in Margate will shut if EU citizens are forced to leave.
His colleague Helen Whately, who represents Faversham and Mid Kent, has also claimed many of the county’s farms would be at risk of going out of business if they failed to secure access to seasonal workers once Britain is out of the EU.
The government has remained coy over how agriculture will access seasonal labour from overseas after Brexit, which has caused much frustration from within the industry.
Mr Simpson said: “Most farms are getting by this year but it’s a struggle and they’re certainly short in some areas, on average there’s probably a 20 per cent shortage in workers.
Source: kentnews.co.uk
