A combination of factors, including the devaluation of sterling since the Brexit vote and the improved economies of eastern Europe, have left agri food processors in NI, traditionally reliant on EU nationals, facing an acute labour shortage.

The impact is most clearly seen in labour-intensive meat processing, where sources suggest that it has now got to the point that companies will have to prioritise work being done in the busy pre-Christmas period. It means lower-value jobs, such as harvesting of some fifth quarter products, might not get done, reducing the overall value of a carcase.

According to Conall Donnelly from the NI Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA), solutions are required right away.

“We need urgent access to third country recruits through the reopening of the Tier III visa scheme” he told the Irish Farmers Journal.

In the Republic of Ireland, the government has moved on two occasions this year to issue permits, allowing 750 low-skilled, lower-wage workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to come to Ireland, which has helped to alleviate labour shortages.

“We need a solution like this. Without a level playing field on the availability of labour, this would put the NI industry at a serious competitive disadvantage relative to southern operators,” Donnelly said.

To date, the concerns outlined by the agri food industry have not prompted any significant government action. A report from earlier this year by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which advises the British government on future migration policy, rejected a suggestion that NI should have a separate low-skill immigration regime to fill vacancies in the likes of agri food processing. Instead, it effectively proposed that industry should invest more in technology to enhance current labour productivity.

The argument made by the meat industry is that it has invested in processing lines, but the nature of the work means it remains labour intensive.

“We need flexibility for NI, and for the Home Office shortage occupation list to reflect the needs of the local agri food industry,” said Donnelly.

He also pointed out that there is currently a skills shortage right across the supply chain, to include engineers in factories and lorry drivers in transport companies.

It is understood that the various concerns around labour shortage were raised by wider NI business representatives when they met senior DUP politicians last week.

Evidence

Meanwhile, the Migration Advisory Committee has opened an evidence-gathering process, which will consider what jobs and roles should be added to the Home Office Shortage Occupation List.

Industry, academics and government bodies have until 6 January 2019 to respond.

To be eligible for inclusion on the list, employers must be able to demonstrate that shortages cannot be filled from within the domestic labour market and that it is sensible to fill vacancies with migrant labour from outside of the European Economic Area.

Also among those most vocal in calling for changes to the current list is the veterinary profession, worried about a crisis in capacity after Brexit.

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