British farmers are losing crops amid severe labour shortages, thus wasting tens of millions of pounds worth of food, and growers are preparing for even more losses next year.
A survey conducted by the National Farmers Union (NFU) found that four in ten crop growers have suffered losses due to labor shortages, with 14 percent of farm work positions unfulfilled, 17 percent not turning up to the job, and 9 percent leaving early.
Fruit and vegetable harvests are being severely impacted, with more than 60 million pounds of food being wasted each year.
However, the Seasonal Workers Scheme, according to the NFU, is helping mitigate some of the losses, with more than 60 percent of the workers being recruited. Currently, the Scheme provides over 40,000 six-month visas to help bolster the horticulture sector. The demand is only expected to grow next year, with a further fall in production.
One farm boss had said he wants more red-tape cuts to allow even more workers to come into the country to help the sector.
Tom Bradshaw, deputy president of the NFU, said, “It’s nothing short of a travesty that quality, nutritious food is being wasted at a time when families across the country are already struggling to make ends meet.”
The UK government responded, saying that labor shortages are affecting countries around the world. A spokesperson further added that the government is already conducting a review into automation and is encouraging more people to take up jobs in the farming sector.
