Without EU workers, Britain's horticulture industry would collapse, experts have warned.
Thousands of people travel to the UK each year to pick fruit and vegetables, allowing home-grown businesses to flourish, employers said, but they fear possible changes to freedom of movement for EU nationals could have a devastating effect.
People from elsewhere in the EU currently make up 7 percent - 2.15 million - of the UK workforce, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Both seasonal workers, who come to the UK when crops are ready to be picked but return home out of season, and those who have graduated into permanent management positions within horticulture make a huge contribution, Dr. Chris Hartfield of the NFU said.
For more information, click here.
Latest from Produce Grower
- WUR extends Gerben Messelink’s professorship in biological pest control in partnership with Biobest and Interpolis
- Closing the loop
- The Growth Industry Episode 8: From NFL guard to expert gardener with Chuck Hutchison
- Raise a glass (bottle)
- From farm kid to Ph.D.
- Do consumers trust produce growers?
- The modern grocery shopper
- Beyond a burst of optimism
