Council motion asks government to relax immigration rules for seasonal workers

A Slieve Gullion councillor is bringing a motion forward at Monday's monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council calling on the government to relax immigration rules to allow seasonal workers to operate locally.

Councillor Pete Byrne was speaking after local apple and mushroom producers detailed pressures they are facing due to difficulties recruiting seasonal staff. 

Councillor Byrne said “Everyone knows that fruit and vegetable producers in the North have long relied on seasonal workers to harvest their crops. Following Brexit and the tightening of immigration rules, businesses are finding it more and more difficult to attract the staff needed, with many workers no longer allowed to visit the North on a temporary basis to take part in seasonal work.

“I have spoken to local apple and mushroom producers who are concerned that the horticulture industry in this area could collapse due to the difficulties in recruiting staff, taking many local jobs with them. This situation is only getting worse and unless something is done to alleviate things these business owners face a very uncertain future. 

“The solution to this problem is clear, before Brexit businesses were able to attract seasonal workers who came to the area and returned home once their job was completed. I’m asking my fellow councillors to back my call for the British government to allow visas for seasonal agriculture workers so that businesses can secure the staff needed and carry on with their operations into the future. It’s not right that businesses and communities here are suffering due to Brexit and all the harm it has caused to people across these islands.” 

The Motion

“This Council recognises the acute pressures that apple and mushroom producers are currently under as a consequence of the severe shortage of seasonal workers. This Council calls on the UK Government to relax immigration rules to allow for visas for seasonal agriculture workers to ensure that food can be fully harvested and to prevent the collapse of the horticulture industry as a consequence of the inability to acquire necessary workers”