In agriculture and horticulture in Great Britain tens of millions of food have already been wasted this year due to staff shortages. Since the introduction of the Brexit visa rules at the beginning of this year, the number of temporary work permits for EU citizens has more than halved. In addition, many seasonal pickers from last year have not returned.
Britain has approved some 38,000 visas for seasonal workers this year, but the industry says it needs about double that, compared to nearly 70,000. Ukrainians had temporarily partially filled the gap, but since the Russian invasion of their country in February, many Ukrainians remain in their homeland.
To remedy the shortages, Britain must now recruit seasonal workers from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Uzbekistan and South Africa.
According to an NFU union survey of farmers, 40 percent complained that they suffered losses due to a shortage of pickers. To counter the problem, the NFU wants the visa regime extended to allow for a minimum five-year program.
“It's just a travesty that food is being wasted at a time when families across the country are struggling to make ends meet because of the rising cost of living,” said NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw.
The union says expanding the UK's seasonal worker scheme is vital to ensure the country doesn't see a repeat of the "devastating amount of food waste" next year.