Concern over lack of seasonal labour
Farmers are calling on the Government to allow more seasonal workers to enter the UK to gather next year's fruit and vegetable harvest.
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) says it's disappointed by a Government report claiming there is enough labour in the UK and the European Union (EU) to meet agriculture's needs.
The NFU wants the number of Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) permits increased from the current 16,250 to 21,000.
A spokesman said:
"Our agricultural labour force survey earlier this year indicated that there was a continuing need for non-EU agricultural workers to have access to our labour market on a seasonal basis and then return home."
