Fourth report - Labour shortages in the food and farming sector
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 713
6 April 2022
Recommendations
2 results
3
Accepted
We note the apparent lack of fairness in many contractual arrangements as highlighted by the...
Recommendation
We note the apparent lack of fairness in many contractual arrangements as highlighted by the Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food. We therefore welcome the Government’s decision to review fairness within the pig supply chain. However, pig farmers continue to …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated they introduced temporary visa schemes for poultry workers, food-sector HGV drivers, and pork butchers in recognition of the unique circumstances, and do not plan to re-introduce similar temporary visa schemes in the future.
14
Accepted
In the longer term, we agree with the Government that the sector needs to shift...
Recommendation
In the longer term, we agree with the Government that the sector needs to shift its focus away from immigration and toward domestic workers and technological innovation and development. While not able to deliver results overnight, a greater focus on …
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Government Response Summary
Defra will commission an independent review to tackle labour shortages in the food supply chain, considering automation, domestic labour, and migration. Defra will also publish the Review of Automation and a Government response in summer 2022.
Conclusions (1) Observations and findings — click to expand
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 26
The food and drink sector has responded to the current labour shortage by increasing wages and introducing various incentives. However, this has not always been successful and, where it has worked, it has often resulted in labour movement and churn within the sector leading to higher labour costs which will …
Government Response Summary
The government describes actions already taken, including engaging with employers and stakeholders about the EU Settlement Scheme and new immigration system and does not intend to stand up the Food Resilience Industry Forum regularly in response to labour shortages.