Britain will grant 800 foreign butchers a six-month emergency visa to avoid mass slaughter of pigs. British pig farmers say the departure of foreign workers after Brexit has left their meat sector in crisis.
Government officials say Britain's exit from the EU and the corona pandemic have led to an exodus of Eastern European workers. As a result, about 120,000 pigs are now in overcrowded stables and barns waiting to be slaughtered.
Environment Minister George Eustice said temporary visas could solve the problem.
“What we are going to do is allow butchers in slaughterhouses and meat processors to be temporarily under the seasonal worker scheme for up to six months,” Eustice told reporters.
He said it would take about 800 butchers to clear the backlog. He also announced support to help slaughterhouses store meat.
Previously, the British government offered a similar solution to the transport sector. It was then announced that several hundred foreign truck drivers would be allowed to return to work in the United Kingdom temporarily. This has resulted in 27 applicants so far.
The National Pig Association said in a statement it was "very relieved" that the government had taken steps to reduce the backlog, calling it "a step in the right direction. The most important thing is how quickly we can get those butchers here,” says the board. “We just need them here as soon as possible.”