| answer text |
<p>The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme operated successfully from 1945 until
2013. It was closed following the accession to the EU of Romania and Bulgaria which
meant there was a sufficient supply of labour from EU nationals.</p><p> </p><p>Following
the decision to close the scheme in 2013, Defra established the SAWS Transition Working
Group, now called the Seasonal Workforce Working Group. This group meets regularly
and brings industry and government together to monitor the seasonal labour situation
across the UK. The farming industry reported that in the third quarter of 2016, labour
recruitment was more challenging than in previous years.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary
of State has made clear that the government is giving consideration to what replacement
arrangements might be necessary after the UK leaves the European Union to ensure that
the farming industry has access to the labour it requires.</p>
|
 |
