Some 36% of UK food businesses would become unviable if they had no access to EU workers, a new report by UK businesses and trade bodies has found.

The report highlights the concerns of businesses regarding the workforce in the farm-to-fork supply chain within the UK amid Brexit talks.

Almost half of the businesses that were surveyed said EU nationals were considering leaving the UK due to uncertainty surrounding their future.

As a result, there are growing fears of a labour shortage.

Post-referendum

There has been a large shift in the mentality of EU nationals, with 31% of businesses reporting their departure since the EU referendum.

Growing concerns have led to uncertainty within the supply chain, with 17% of respondents saying that they would look to relocate overseas if they had no access to EU nationals.

Hurting the UK

Discussing the findings, Ian Wright CBE, director general, Food & Drink Federation, said: “The UK food and drink supply chain ensures that consumers have access to the safe, affordable and delicious range of food and drink that they have come to expect.”

Food is a matter of national security, so the results of this report are of central concern to businesses across the farm-to-fork industries.

“It is only a matter of time before the uncertainty reported by businesses results in an irreversible exit of EU workers from these shores.

“This is a scenario that will hurt the UK culturally and economically. Without our dedicated and valued workforce we would be unable to feed the nation.

“This is why it is imperative that we receive assurances from government about their future, and that of our wider workforce.”

Recommendations

Along with findings, the report also outlines three challenges regarding access to the labour market that will need to be addressed by the UK government:

1. Ensure access to a competent and reliable workforce.

A whole supply chain solution is needed to ensure that the sector has access to the skills and labour it needs.

An abrupt reduction in the number of EU workers able to work in the UK after the UK leaves the EU will cause massive disruption to the whole food supply chain.

2. Make the UK an attractive place to work.

To compete on a global field, the UK must remain an attractive place to work, with recognition of the crucial importance for accessing workers at all skill levels.

3. Keep the UK labour market flexible.

The constituent parts of the food supply chain have different seasonal peaks, and labour market flexibility is fundamental in ensuring seasonal produce is available and consumers expectations are met, with food available all year round.

The sector is already experiencing a tightening of seasonal labour supply that needs to be addressed.

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