Defra has confirmed that 45,000 visas for seasonal workers will be available for horticultural businesses in 2023, as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Scheme. The announcement also includes the potential to increase this figure by a further 10,000 if necessary.
Responding to Defra’s announcement, NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw said: “This increase in visas is a positive step forward and will be a relief for many growers who are currently struggling to find the skilled workforce needed to continue producing the nation’s fruit, vegetables and ornamentals.
“For some growers, this announcement will have come too late with some already having made the difficult decision to reduce production in the coming season.
“Growers have faced a really tough year with soaring energy and fertiliser costs only adding to the pressure caused by significant workforce shortages, which resulted in £60 million of fruit and vegetables being wasted in the first half of 2022 alone. And we expect the coming 2023 season to be equally challenging.”
Through the Seasonal Worker visa route, businesses can recruit foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months.
Defra has confirmed that the first 4,000 visas will be made available to operators in time to ensure that daffodil growers have the labour available for their harvest at the start of 2023.
