8.1. The Government is grateful to the committee for highlighting the importance of technology and automation for the future of the agri-food sectors, and acknowledge the financial and logistical challenges that small businesses in particular will face when considering mechanising their operations. Technology and automation have the potential to bring change to all parts of the food supply chain, and as the committee acknowledges, many sectors have already successfully integrated automation into parts of their operations. 8.2. We are delighted to inform the committee that, along with the measures acknowledged in the report, Defra will lead a review into automation in horticulture this year. The review will report on ways to increase automation in the sector and meet the government’s aim of reducing the need for migrant labour in the long term. Further details of the review will be published in the Spring.