2021
October
Supply chain issues
Our President was interviewed on BBC Broadcasting House where she spoke about ongoing supply chain issues and the importance of buying British food to support farmers during this time.
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Listen to the full interview on here ??
NFU President Minette Batters appeared on the BBC's (watch from 4 mins) where she reviewed the stories making the headlines in the morning papers and spoke about the ongoing labour shortages facing the agriculture sector.
Watch on the show talking about the need to reassess current visa scheme requirements in order to resolve the ongoing labour issues facing British farmers.
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Catch the full programme here ??
NFU President Minette Batters appeared on , alongside Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi, Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy, broadcaster Nick Ferrari, and comedian Rosie Jones. Minette spoke powerfully about the need for government to work with businesses to solve the food supply chain crisis, and took part in discussions on a number of other topics.
Listen back to NFU President on talking about the need for government to work with business to solve the food supply chain crisis ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Watch the full programme here ??
Once again the news was full of stories about supply chain issues with the and reporting that Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the Government will do all it can to “mitigate” global supply issues, but he conceded that there is disruption and did not rule out Christmas being affected. Both articles quote NFU President Minette Batters.
Other outlets including , , , , and also quoted Minette or the NFU more widely.
Another party conference, another busy day for
— NFU Press Team (@NFUPress)
Look out for Minette later on and as she champions farmer's voices ????????
As the conservative party conference began it was a busy couple of days for Minette as she was interviewed by (7 min 30), ITV News, programme and (1hr 44). In each interview, Minette discussed the impact of supply chain issues on farmers and what could happen if the situation was not resolved soon.
September
Meat supply issues
NFU President Minette Batters was interviewed live on (20:25) discussing the labour shortages facing British food and farming. Following Minette's comments, that suggested that if the worker shortage issues aren't addressed immediately there could be a welfare cull of pigs, the , t and all produced articles quoting Minette.
ICYMI ?? was on last night explaining why it's so important that the supply chain get Covid recovery visas
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Watch back from 20:25 ??
Earlier in the month Minette was also interviewed by BBC News, Sky News and across BBC radio, while NFU Cymru milk board chair Abi Reader shared her thoughts on the issue with Sky News and ITV News Wales and NFU chief livestock advisor John Royle spoke to .
Our NFU Cymru milk board chair spoke to last night
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Listen back as she describes the effect of the current supply chain issues on farmers ??
CO2 shortage
Towards the end of the month CF Fertilisers production ground to a halt due to the wholsesale gas prices, creating a sudden shortage of fertilisers and it's production byproduct CO2.
Following emergency meetings ministers reached a deal to restart CO2 production at CF's factories in an effort to ease fears of food shortages. , , , , and all covered the story and quoted NFU President Minette Batters as she discussed the issue and mentioned the NFU's emergency cross industry meeting.
ICYMI ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
NFU President appeared live on earlier today to discuss the effect of the CO2 shortage on farmers ????
Minette pointed out that the shortage is just one of a number of factors currently affecting the supply chain - check it out ??
Minette also recorded an interview for (8mins) to discuss the emergency meeting convened by the NFU about the issue and the knock-on impact supply issues are having for food and farming. Furthermore, she appeared live on BBC News at with Martine Croxall, BBC Radio 4's PM and on Ian King’s business programme on Sky News.
ICYMI ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
It's been a busy day for as she also spoke to this morning to about the CO2 shortage and explained why the UK needs greater food and energy security going forward
Turkey producer Michael Bailey, and the chair of the NFU’s turkey group, also discussed the issues on BBC Breakfast.
Cross industry letter to govenrment
As a result of the emergency meeting convened by the NFU (mentioned above) a letter was sent from 12 food and drink trade groups, led by the NFU, to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to warn of panic-buying this winter unless action is taken to address labour shortages as they said the food and farming sector is on a “knife-edge” due to a “crippling” shortage of workers across the entire supply chain.
We're calling for urgent action from the government to reinstate vital food-grade carbon dioxide supplies by bringing UK fertiliser plants back on stream. Hear what NFU President said about it and the emergency summit we chaired here ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
The letter reiterated calls for an emergency visa to allow firms to recruit from outside the UK, as farmers, hauliers and shops have been struggling with shortages that have been made worse by Covid and Brexit. The story has been covered by the and who all quote either Minette or the NFU.
Labour shortages
News about labour shortages continued as September rolled on, NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw kicked off the month with an interview in the as they revealed shop prices in Britain rose due to the national shortage of lorry drivers and disruption to the global supply chain caused by the Covid pandemic and post-Brexit migration rules hit.
Later in the month as Coca Cola became the latest food and drinks giant affected Tom was again quoted in and the Daily Mirror.
Regionally, NFU West Midlands director Robert Newbery spoke to about food wastage caused by labour shortages. Meanwhile, mentioned the NFU in an article as they met a dairy farmer who was told to dump his milk after a shortage of lorry drivers meant it could not be collected.
皇家华人was also featured talking about labour issues in...
- The , who quoted NFU horticulture and potato board chair Ali Capper as she said there are record levels of food waste.
- The Mail on Sunday who mentioned the NFU labour provider survey.
- and , who both mentioned the recent NFU Grant Thorton report.
- A further article which suggested food shortages in supermarkets and restaurants could be “permanent”.
- A Sunday Times article by journalist Xanthe Clay who asked what we can do to increase homegrown food.
August
Grant Thornton report
The NFU joined organisations from across the food and farming sector to produce a new report calling for a 12-month 'Covid-19 Recovery Visa' to help alleviate the workforce shortages affecting the whole of the supply chain.
The report estimates there are more than 500,000 vacancies across food and drink businesses and draws attention to the significantly increasing cost of getting food to the public.
Media pickup for the report was widespread and included the the Daily Telegraph and , who all quoted NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw. NFU member Julien Marks was quoted in on the same issue.
ICYMI ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
NFU Vice President and grower Oli Pascall were on over the weekend discussing why we're calling for Covid-19 Recovery Visas to help alleviate the workforce shortages ??
Read more here ??
, (8:23 am) (14 mins 50) and GB News also put together news packages about the issue. Farming Today and GB News spoke to Tom while Sky also interviewed NFU member Oli Pascall and BBC Breakfast filmed from NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Ali Capper's farm.
There are more than 500,000 vacancies across food and drink businesses which is why we need Covid-19 Recovery Visas to enable the supply chain to recruit critical roles ????
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Listen as explains all to (8:26am)
The perfect storm
August saw the effects of Brexit and the pandemic coming together as limited travel and visa permits meant many farmers faced a harvest without enough pickers or HGV drivers.
NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw was very busy as news outlets sought to understand what had caused the food shortages across the food supply chain, from restaurants to the supermarket. Tom appeared on (2hrs 14mins) to discuss the subject and was quoted in two further Times articles, one by , and the other by . He also appeared on (1hr 22mins) and LBC radio.
Listen back to explain the effect of labour shortages on farmers as he spoke to on this morning (1hr 22mins) ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Rural job creation
interviewed NFU environment forum member Jake Fiennes as part of an article focusing on rural jobs and rewilding. According to the piece, rewilding 5% of England could create nearly 20,000 jobs in rural communities and increase employment by 50% compared with intensive farming.
July
COVID-19 self isolation
As the announcement was made that some food supply chain workers will be exempt from quarantine, NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw shared NFU reaction to the news. He appeared on (listen back from 8:12am) and reiterated the importance of making sure the government doesn't just focus on the end of the supply chain and includes farm workers in future plans.
Tom was also interviewed by the BBC News channel, Sky News and (26:50). Clips from Tom's Sky News interview were also played out on 250+ commercial and community radio stations across the UK.
?? NFU VP was on this morning giving his reaction to the news that some workers within the food supply chain will be able to apply for a quarantine exemption ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Elsewhere, posed the question: Could the UK run out of food? 皇家华人was quoted as saying that while there are some labour supply issues, it is unrealistic to suggest a nationwide food shortage.
114 pieces of coverage on the issue included an NFU quote. The coverage appeared across print, broadcast, regional, and trade - achieving a reach of over 43 million.
In other news, published an article, quoting NFU stats, about the importance of seasonal workers on the domestic supply chain of crops.
June
The 'Pick for Britain' scheme came back into the spotlight at the beginning of this month and NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Ali Capper was quoted in aarticle discussing the physical demands of working as a picker.
April
As the picking season drew closer many outlets started to ask what would happen to this year's seasonal workforce and what would replace last year's 'Pick for Britain' campaign. NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw began his series of interviews on the subject with a quotes in the and the
Elsewhere...
- Tom was interviewed on discussing the need to look beyond our borders when it comes to seasonal labour demands (16:13)
- He also appeared on talking about the need for horticulture businesses to link up with the DWP to ensure any gaps in the seasonal workforce are filled (9:50)
- Finally, he spoke to John Pienaar from about seasonal worker issues and the need to increase the number of seasonal worker permits to help with this year's picking. Listen from 2hr 21 mins.
February
NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw and member Alex Newey featured in aarticle that reports that ornamentals could go unharvested this year after the multibillion-pound sector was not included in the seasonal workers' scheme.
2020
December
Sesonal agricultural workers' scheme
NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw was featured in a discussing the extension of the seasonal agricultural workers’ scheme, which will allow farmers to bring in 30,000 seasonal workers from overseas in 2021 – three times more than 2020 – to help pick and pack fruit and vegetables.
Times Radio interviewed salad grower and NFU member Nick Ottewell to discuss the effect Brexit will have on his seasonal workforce and the 'Pick for Britain' campaign. He also explained the importance of having a migrant workforce.
November
The reports concerns around seasonal labour for the daffodil harvest, which will be one of the first recruitment challenges for a post-Brexit Britain. NFU member and daffodil grower Alex Newey is featured alongside NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw.
October
BBC exclusively reports the NFU's seasonal labour survey
The NFU's most recent seasonal labour survey revealed that UK residents made up only 11% of the seasonal workforce this year despite the high-profile Pick for Britain campaign to recruit domestically. The news was given to the BBC as an exclusive.
featured an interview with NFU member and Gloucestershire grower Martin Haines from his farm who is currently harvesting pumpkins, who explained that the the interest for picking roles from domestic workers is not forthcoming.
NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw is quoted in , explaining that growers of flowers, fruit and veg still don't know how they will recruit experienced workers next year.
On , Tom reflected on the survey results and reiterated the NFU's call for clarity.
Coverage was also achieved across various regional BBC channels and national news bulletins, including:
- BBC Radio 2
- Radio 4
- BBC 5Live
- BBC 6 Music
also covered the story and the NFU's warning that time is running short to recruit workers for next year's harvest. The piece featured comments from Tom Bradshaw, horticulture board chairman Ali Capper and vice chairman Derek Wilkinson.
July
FT reports development in robot harvester
The reported that growers are turning to robotic harvesters as a long-term solution to the labour gap. NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper is quoted reiterating the point that robots will be plugging a shortage, rather than taking jobs, emphasising that “first-world economies just do not pick their own fruit and vegetables" because such roles are temporary and seasonal.
June
The reports how the lack of a workforce from Eastern Europe this year has foreshadowed Brexit difficulties. NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw highlights the success of the Pick for Britain campaign and NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper is quoted explaining that the NFU is preparing an assessment of cost increases to share with government and supermarkets.
March
NFU President Minette Batters emphasised on BBC Radio 4's PM and Today programmes that we now have an opportunity to produce more food domestically and that British workers could also be trained to carry out seasonal roles on farm.
For all the latest coverage on the impact of coronavirus on access to labour, visit our coronavirus media coverage hub.
February
Government announces immigration policy
As the government announced it's new points-based immigration policy, the NFU featured heavily in the media emphasising that any immigration policy must reflect the importance of food and farming and deliver for its needs.
NFU President Minette Batters was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today where she stressed that a lack of access to overseas workers, both seasonal and permanent, risks downsizing domestic food production.
Great to hear on this morning on the 's immigration policy. Her response is also covered in ??? Listen back here
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Other radio coverage included:
- NFU President Minette Batters on LBC
- NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today
- NFU Vice President Stuart Roberts on LBC
NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper spoke to TalkRadio's Matthew Wright explaining why British farming relies on seasonal workers from overseas.
The National Farmers' Union's Ali Capper reacts to government plans to stop offering visas for low-skilled workers: "We are the only country in Europe that is trying to ignore the fact that workers come from elsewhere to do these jobs" | |
— talkRADIO (@talkRADIO)
As well as broadcast media, the NFU's response featured across national newspapers. You can read the articles here:
2019
October
NFU calls for expansion of Seasonal Workers pilot
There was plenty of media coverage on the NFU's call for the government to expand the Seasonal Workers pilot scheme after its Labour Providers Survey showed a significant shortage of workers in September.
The shortage of seasonal workers was the leading story on ITV News, and NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper was interviewed highlighting the impact it is having on farms. The piece also cited statistics from the NFU’s Labour Providers Survey.
Ali was also interviewed on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine programme to explain why there has been a shortfall of seasonal workers on farms.
ITV News published an online article featuring NFU member Jeremy Best expressing his concern that he won’t have enough pickers to harvest his strawberries next year. The piece included NFU South West communications adviser David George who said the industry needs to recruit 70,000 seasonal workers to fill the roles at harvest time.
NFU member Martin Haines featured on BBC Radio 5’s Wake Up To Money discussing labour shortages and how it is impacting his pumpkin harvest.
Ali Capper's comments and the NFU's call to expand the pilot scheme also featured across national print titles.
You can read the articles here: