British Growers Association.
BGA chief executive Jack Ward said he expected the ‘vast majority’ of seasonal workers this year will be British but that businesses cannot run ‘on enthusiasm alone’.
He said: ‘When you’re operating on the scale (that large food producers) are, you do need a few people around who know what they’re doing. ‘You just can’t run these businesses on enthusiasm alone.’ He said that, historically, a ‘significant proportion’ of pickers come from Eastern Europe and return year after year. ‘I think what that workforce provides is a bit of experience and know-how to mix in this year with the people who have never done this before,’ he said.
He added that crops are harvested 12 months of the year and the height of the season is from May to autumn. He said coronavirus restrictions could lift before the end of the season. ‘What we’ve got to be a little bit aware of is that when we get to, let’s say, July and we’re still absolutely flat out in the fresh produce industry, how many of the people who have volunteered have then returned to their original jobs,’ said Mr Ward. ‘I think what some farms are trying to do is balance what’s available today, what might be available in three months’ time or four months’ time, and the requirements of what is quite a long season. ‘I think they’re trying to cover every eventuality but I sense that this year the vast majority of seasonal workers will be from the UK. ‘The numbers you can get on a plane are almost insignificant compared with the total numbers that are needed.’ He said there had been a ‘terrific response’ to a campaign to recruit more British workers this year. ‘If anything we’ve been overwhelmed with offers of help,’ he said. ‘It’s been an amazing response.’ He said the asparagus season, which requires around 5,000 pickers across the UK, is just getting under way.
Agenda's and all that.