The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a package of measures, which it said will “provide certainty” to farmers in the UK’s poultry and sheep sectors.
Defra has confirmed the Seasonal Worker visa route for 2025, stating that there would be 2,000 visas available for poultry workers next year.
It said this would help the sector secure the labour and skills needed to bring high quality British produce such as turkey to the market.
Alongside this, Defra said it would be taking action to keep costs down and protect poultry farmers from the impact of avian influenza. It also stated it would “deliver fairness” in the supply chain for sheep farmers by ensuring producers receive a fair price for their livestock through legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting.
Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “This Government recognises that food security is national security, and this can only be achieved by supporting food and farming businesses.
“Confirming the seasonal worker visa allocation for 2025 gives growers and producers certainty, allowing them to plan ahead and secure the labour they need to grow and thrive.
“This package of measures will also support farmers by protecting our poultry producers from the impact of avian flu outbreaks and ensuring fairness in the sheep supply chain.”
Defra survey finds workers expressing desire to return to the UK
As well as confirming visa numbers for 2025, Defra has also published the 2023 Seasonal Workers Survey report. It said this was “an important part of Defra’s commitment to monitoring the welfare of the seasonal migrant workers”.
The survey showed that 91% of respondents reported a positive experience from their time in the UK, with 95% expressing a desire to return. Government said it would work with industry to improve these numbers further through its farm compliance checks.
NFU calls for better planning
NFU resident Tom Bradshaw said: “For the many horticulture and poultry businesses that produce climate-friendly food and plants for the country, this news will be a relief as they will be able to plan for the year ahead. But farming and growing businesses don’t just work on year-to-year production cycles, they plan their business operations years ahead.
“As has been widely reported confidence of farmers and growers is at an all-time low and worker availability has been a significant barrier to growth – a key mission of the new government. Horticulture and poultry businesses in the UK both have the ambition to grow, but essential to this is long-term certainty.
“The recent recommendations by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recognised how significantly important the SWS is to domestic food security and the vital need for a long-term scheme. We urge the Government to publish its response to the MAC report as soon as possible, to give farming and growing businesses the confidence needed to invest in the country’s food security and deliver for its environmental targets.
“We don’t want to see a return to empty supermarket shelves or further years where £22 million of crops are left to rot in the fields and we want to ensure consumers have access to their favourite Christmas centrepiece during the festive season. We have an ambitious industry that wants to drive productivity to support the health and wellbeing of our nation, but action is needed to make this a reality. Moving forward we need to see assurances of a long-term SWS and the Government’s response to the MAC report.”
