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<p>The Government recognises the importance of a reliable source of seasonal labour
for horticulture and the poultry sector and the role of automation in the food supply
chain.</p><p>The Government’s forthcoming response to the review of automation in
horticulture will therefore outline actions to complement the immediate need for seasonal
workers and help attract more residents of the United Kingdom into agricultural work
– the overall aim of both being to, over time, reduce the sector’s dependency on seasonal
migrant labour.</p><p> </p><p>Following an announcement in the Government Food Strategy,
an extra 10,000 visas have been released for the Seasonal Worker visa route - bringing
the total for this year to 40,000 visas.</p><p> </p><p>Under current agreement with
the Home Office a similar number will be rolled forward for 2023. Defra are discussing
with them precisely what the number will be, using evidence from the NFU and other
stakeholders provided in 2022 and having regard to the Prime Minister’s stated support
for a short term expansion of the visa route.</p><p> </p><p>As announced in the Government
Food Strategy in June, the Government has now commissioned an independent labour review
which will consider how automation, domestic labour and migrant labour can contribute
to tackling labour shortages in the food supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>The review will
focus on farming, processing, and food and non-alcoholic drink manufacturing as sectors
which are critical for food production and food security. The review is being chaired
by John Shropshire, an industry veteran who stepped down from his role as CEO of major
horticulture producer G’s Group last year. He will be supported by an expert panel
drawing in expertise from across the sectors covered by the review.</p><p>Defra continues
to speak regularly with the agriculture sector and other government departments to
understand labour supply and demand, including for both permanent and seasonal workforce
requirements, and to ensure there is a long-term strategy for the farming workforce.
Defra is also working closely with the Home Office to ensure that the requirements
for these sectors are understood across Government.</p>
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