Hugh Robertson delighted about key decision safeguarding Kent's Fruit Industry

The Home Office has agreed to raise the limit for seasonal agricultural workers to 21, 500 for 2009 in a way that will benefit Kent's Fruit Industry.

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Fruit Group, has today expressed his delight that The Home Office has agreed to raise the limit for seasonal agricultural workers to 21, 500 for 2009 in a way that will benefit Kent’s Fruit Industry. He has also received an assurance from The Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas, that the government will consider a similar, or greater, number the following year and will look to replace The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme after its current demise in 2010. This will do much to safeguard the future of fruit farming in particular and horticulture more generally.

The issue arises because of the importance of labour to a fruit farmer’s cost base which, in turn, impacts on the wider economy. The Home Office had previously cut the numbers of seasonal workers leaving some of this year’s crops unpicked.

Hugh Robertson has been working with the NFU throughout the year towards today’s decision via Parliamentary debates and meetings with Ministers. Today’s announcement came after a meeting between the MP, the NFU and The Minister at The Home Office on Tuesday.

Hugh Robertson said, “I am delighted by today’s decision which will safeguard the fruit industry for the immediate future. I am also pleased by The Minister’s commitment, at our meeting, to work towards a long term solution via a replacement for the current labour scheme.

Labour is the key component of a fruit farmers cost base. Today’s decision will enable them to continue to produce high quality, unsubsidised produce close to the market place which is excellent news for Kent’s economy.”