Common sense needed on migration rules
DUP EFRA Spokesperson Carla Lockhart has said the warnings from the Northern Ireland mushroom industry must be heeded by the Government to avert a labour shortage crisis that will cause harm to local growers.
The Upper Bann MP said:
“I have been contacted by local growers for whom there is now a real crisis facing these businesses due to the overzealous and stringent approach to migration rules by the Home Office.
We need common sense to prevail where industries simply cannot source labour locally to complete essential tasks. If mushroom growers cannot get people from the UK to work in that industry, then the reality is they must be able to bring workers into the UK to assist their business. Otherwise, those industries will simply collapse.
The Government must allow mushroom growers onto the Shortage Occupation List. This can address this labour shortage issue and allow local growers to remain competitive. I am asking the Government to consider this as part of their review into the Shortage Occupation List, and will be watching the outcome of that review with interest.
Food supply and security is vital, and our homegrown product must be allowed to be harvested in a timely and efficient way to allow the industry to survive, compete and grow. That should be the aim of the Government.”
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