Anthea McIntyre, MEP for the West Midlands, has trumpted the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme and echoed calls for new workers. This follows the NFU Annual Conference where finding enough workers for the British agricultural and horticultural industries was a topic of major concern.
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) has been praised for being a high quality, well managed scheme where workers are well looked after and paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
Ms McIntyre said, “Despite considerable efforts in countless occasions, producers and packers simply cannot find enough British workers prepared to work in the fields or pack-houses.
“Without a reliable and willing local workforce, it is no wonder that SAWS is of such importance to our industries.
“The current scheme is due to end shortly and a replacement scheme is essential if British producers are to be able to meet their contracts to supply supermarkets and others going forward. Without reliable supply the buyers will look elsewhere to meet the needs of their customers – and that inevitably means more imports.
She continued by calling for Government action for the industry, “I am therefore calling on the Immigration Minister, Mark Harper MP, for a follow-on SAWS scheme so that growers and packers can top up their European workforce during the peaks of the season for the particular crops being grown and the growing method being used.
“Experience with SAWS has shown that the UK Border Agency administers the scheme effectively and efficiently and will, I am sure, be well able to deal with a follow-on scheme.”