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<p>The Government knows how important seasonal workers are to our farmers and growers
and to the food-processing sector, supporting the growth and prosperity of our farming,
fisheries and food and drink sectors by helping to ensure that produce is picked and
processed.</p><p>In 2021 and beyond, agricultural businesses will continue to be able
to rely on EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status - around
3.5 million EU citizens and their families have been granted settled or pre-settled
status under the EU Settlement Scheme - and there will continue to be other flexibility
in the system.</p><p>Defra has been encouraging the horticulture sector to employ
domestic workers, which has been supported by the 'Pick for Britain' campaign this
year. This was a joint Defra and industry initiative to support the recruitment of
British workers to help with this year's harvest during the Covid-19 pandemic. We
will take lessons from this campaign to help inform the future needs of the sector.</p><p>The
Seasonal Workers Pilot has operated in 2019 and 2020 and allowed the recruitment of
up to 10,000 non-EEA seasonal workers this year. The Pilot will run until the end
of December 2020 when the new points-based immigration system will come into force.
The Pilot will be evaluated ahead of any decisions being taken on how future needs
of the sector will be addressed.</p>
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