Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is his Department taking to ensure that butchery skills are included as a classification in the Government's immigration framework after the UK leaves the EU.

Defra is working closely with the Home Office to ensure that the food and farming sector, including meat processing, has access to the workforce it needs, as part of the future immigration policy.

After we leave the EU, we must have an immigration system which works in the best interests of the UK; controlling immigration whilst continuing to welcome those who make a contribution.

A White Paper on the future border and immigration system is expected to be published in the autumn.