Defra has published the results of a review exploring how the horticulture sector can make use of innovative technologies to help with picking and packing of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The , chaired by Environment Secretary George Eustice and Professor Simon Pearson from the University of Lincoln, supports the wider aim of reducing the horticulture sector's reliance on migrant workers through increased and accelerated use of automated technologies such as:
- packhouse automation
- AI enabled robots
- autonomous guided vehicles
鈥淭he review reinforces the need for growers to have access to labour to underpin their businesses while they invest and technology develops.鈥�
NFU chief horticulture and potatoes adviser Lee Abbey
Recommendations
Experts across the industry came together to investigate what would be required to advance automation technologies in horticulture and ornamental sectors. Recommendations include:
- establishing a consortium that brings together government and industry to drive adoption of proven technologies adopting a mission-led approach to fast-track new technologies
- the horticulture sector setting up working groups to share novel harvest practices and consider how best to make the industry more attractive for workers
- developing the sector鈥檚 skills pipelines and consider ways to attract and retain staff
- considering a long-term seasonal workers scheme for edible and ornamental horticulture to help stabilise workforce pressures
Our response
NFU chief horticulture and potatoes adviser Lee Abbey said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased the government has published Professor Simon Pearson鈥檚 review and that it confirms our view that the horticulture industry is already incredibly innovative and an early adopter of technology.
鈥淚t鈥檚 this innovative streak in British growers that has allowed them to become incredibly productive, efficient and sustainable over many decades.
Access to labour
鈥淲hat the review does also lay bare is that the technology to replace the majority of manual roles that require the dexterity of the human hand are simply not available yet, reinforcing the need for growers to have access to labour to underpin their businesses while they invest and technology develops.
鈥溁始一薶as always said there needs to be a longer-term and more viable solution to the labour shortages growers currently face and we strongly agree with the review鈥檚 recommendation for Defra to pursue a long-term seasonal workers scheme to stabilise workforce pressures.鈥�