Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Whately Excerpts

Thursday 2nd March 2017 Commons Chamber

[George Eustice]

I have regular meetings with NFU Scotland. Earlier this year, we had a meeting and engaged on a wide range of issues pertinent to future agriculture policy in Scotland, including labour.

[Helen Whately (Faversham and Mid Kent) (Con)]

4. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the employment of seasonal agricultural workers.

[The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice)]

There is a lot of interest in seasonal agricultural labour at the moment. DEFRA Ministers engage regularly with ministerial colleagues at the Home Office and other Departments to discuss the issue of migrant labour in the agriculture sector after we leave the EU. We are aware that the availability of labour is a concern for some sectors of the industry. However, leaving the EU and establishing controlled migration does not mean closing off all immigration; it simply means that we will be able to identify where we have needs and put in place suitable arrangements.

[Helen Whately]

Growers in my constituency are worried about fruit going unpicked not only after we leave the EU, but this year. Can my hon. Friend assure me that he will continue to press the Home Office on this issue, and not only on seasonal agricultural workers after we leave the EU, but between now and then?