Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 2 November 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 November 2018 (named day). It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Monday, 12 November 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food: Production

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the food and farming sector has sufficient access to labour in order to sustain British food production (a) now and (b) in the future.

Answer

Defra understands the importance of labour in supporting a successful and effective agricultural sector, and is considering how best to support the needs of the sector both before and after the UK withdraws from the EU.

We have announced that the Government will introduce a new pilot scheme for 2019 and 2020, enabling up to 2,500 non-European Economic Area migrant workers to come to the UK to undertake seasonal employment in the edible horticultural sector.

Defra is also working closely with the Home Office to ensure that there is a long term strategy for the food and farming workforce as part of the future immigration policy.

Defra is working with industry to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the agriculture and food industry to attract domestic workers, and is exploring the potential for innovation and automation in meeting future labour demands.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
187334
Session
2017-19
Related items
Food: Production
Friday, 30 November 2018
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Agriculture Food Staff Production Migrant workers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk