Axe falls on government’s Pick for Britain campaign
The government has scrapped its Pick for Britain campaign – launched last year to ensure enough seasonal workers were avail- able to harvest crops during the coronavirus pandemic. As well as helping to recruit seasonal workers, the campaign raised the public profile of the UK edible horticulture sector, and in particular the important role it plays each year in feed- ing the nation. Defra said it wanted to extend its sincere gratitude to all campaign partners who supported the project – as well as to the growers, recruiters, retailers, and other industry organisations who participated. “The Pick for Britain message generated unprecedented in- terest in these roles across the country, and helped our farmers and growers bring home the harvest. We are proud to have been part of this creative and collaborative campaign.” Defra said the government would continue to help UK farm- ers and growers recruit the seasonal workers they needed – in- cluding support for workers from the domestic labour market and those from overseas.
The NFU said recruiting domestic workers remained difficult. The British Growers Association said real concern remained over whether there would be enough workers for the sector.
the impact of its new immigra- tion policy on the supply of such skilled workers. Committee chairman Neil
Parish said: “Peak harvesting season [is] almost upon us and yet the government has only just appointed the final two operators for the seasonal workers pilot. “British growers have been placed at the bottom of the Home Office’s priorities list. Unneces- sary uncertainty could prove costly for producers. “Despite last year’s Pick for Britain pilot scheme, our report made it clear that overseas la- bour is still very much needed.
The government’s efforts to re- cruit more domestic labour can- not hope to be sufficient for this summer’s harvest.”
Reports of daffodils going un-
picked this spring made clear the need for seasonal workers from overseas went well beyond just edible horticulture, said Mr Par- ish. The Home Office needed to start listening to minimse the im- pact on British farmers. “Before Christmas, we warned the government of the huge con- sequences of keeping plans for seasonal labour vague until the very last minute. There can be no excuse for further hold-ups.”
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