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Farmers fear for future asworkers head home
FARMERS have questioned whether a new government plan to attract fruit pickers toKentwill be enough to halt the decline in seasonal workers coming to the UK fromabroad. Between spring 2019 andDecem-
ber 2020, the scheme aims to help reduce labour shortages during peak production periods by allow- ing six-month visas for up to 2,500 workers a year. Someworkers are nowbeing de-
terred by the high cost of living in the UK while the agricultural sec- tors in parts of eastern Europe are starting to thrive. The SeasonalAgriculturalWork-
Terry Gilham, of Winterwood
www.southernglassmaidstone.co.uk
sers’ Scheme, which was launched in early September, is supported by MP HelenWhately. But James Smith, of Loddington
Farms in Linton, said: “It’s encour- aging to see, but in terms or num- bers it’s too small for what the industry needs. It’s difficult to get the number of workers that we need, and when we do it is even harder to keep them. “
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Farms in Chart Sutton, which em- ploys 45-50 seasonal pickers and 250 full-timers in the pack houses, said: “It is not really enough since the industry needs between 80- 100,000 each year. Only about one in 100 online applications comes fromlocal people. “There is awhole range of factors
and I don’t think Brexit is entirely to blame, either. “According to what we’re hear-
WE DO NOT employ pushy salesmen on commission. WE DO employ our own fitters. WE DO insure all our guarantees for peace of mind. WE DO give prices over the phone.
ing, there are recruitment problems in Spain, Germany, Holland and Portugal, too.”
OUR REPUTATION Robert Pascall, of Clock House
Farms in Coxheath, said: “It’s been harder over the last fewyears to re- cruit, especially over the last two years, because the EU is pumping money into agricultural projects and work in the countries most of our employees come from. It does- n’tmake sense for themto come to England if there is alreadywork at home. We’re very worried about next year as we already have a lot of people saying they have been of- fered jobs back home. “We expect about 60% of people
to have come back this year but next year we fear the number will bemuch lower. “The pilot scheme will help, but
it’s just at the starting point.” MP HelenWhately said: “We’ve
been arguing for two years that labour shortages are holding back Kent’s thriving fruit industry. “The pilot will provide just a
small proportion of the seasonal workforce needed, but it should lay the foundations for amore sub- stantial scheme in future.“
downsmail.co.uk Police arrest 2
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for shoplifting A MAN and a woman have been chargedwithmore than 80 shoplift- ing offences following thefts from stores acrosswest Kent. Kent Police have been investigat-
ing the theft of high value goods, including alcohol, meat, razor blades and fuel fromsupermarkets and service stations, in areas in- cluding West Malling, Snodland andMaidstone. The offences are alleged to have
taken place betweenApril andAu- gust this year, and also included businesses in theMedway area. Toni Cooney (25) and Craig
Smith (45), both of Hollywood Lane, Wainscott, Rochester were arrested on Friday,August 31. They appeared before Chatham
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Magistrates’Court on September 1, where Miss Cooney pleaded not guilty to 39 counts of theft and one of making off without payment. She was remanded in custody to appear before the same court at a later date. Mr Smith also pleaded not guilty
1a Brunswick Street East Maidstone ME15 7UX
to 39 counts of theft and also to a further four of making off without payment.Hewas bailed,with con- ditions, to reappear at the court at a later date.
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16 Maidstone October 2018
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Malling October 2017 23
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