UK's immigration policy to hit the poultry sector
The recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) of using a combination of skill and salary thresholds will have the largest impact on British food producers, with the poultry meat industry being the hardest hit, warns the British Poultry Council (BPC).
"We value all of our workforce, wherever they come from, but the MAC report fails to respond to the current need for labour in the poultry industry post-Brexit. Poultry is half the meat the country eats. Our sector has grown significantly, beyond the UK labour availability in the areas we operate, and 60% of our workforce (22,800 people) are EU nationals who ensure safe, nutritious and affordable food is available for all.
If the MAC’s intention is to base its recommendations on what it sees as ‘being in the best interest of the resident population’ then they have failed miserably," said Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive of British Poultry Council.
The lack of workforce in farming and food processing was one of the most discussed topics related to Brexit event as the lack of personnel may block the development of businesses and set the stage for a two-tier food system where we import food produced to lower standards and only the affluent can afford quality British produce.
"We are calling on the Government to protect the necessary access to non-UK labour that poultry producers need to be able to fill the 7,200 vacancies within the industry every year. This will enable our sector to continue to flourish and feed the nation with food produced to the high standards it demands," urged Mr. Griffiths.
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