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Local farms and businesses are finding it very difficult to find staff thanks to the restrictions imposed by Brexit. Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has requested an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to address the labour shortages following a stark warning from The Northern Ireland Mushroom Growers Association (NIMGA) that the North’s mushroom industry will disappear unless migration rules are relaxed.
Mr. McNulty said: “In my own constituency of Newry and Armagh, current labour shortages and vacancy rates, coupled with increasing business costs, are creating circumstances whereby many local farms and businesses are facing the prospect of closure, or being forced to move their operations across the border. This would have a significant adverse impact upon local communities."
The MLA continued “Brexit has made it extraordinarily difficult for our farming industry and for many agr and horticultural businesses to find and attract staff. Poor foresight and preparation by the UK Government has created a crisis and urgent action is required to create a provision for visas that enable farmers and businesses to find and secure the workers they need.
“The long term-viability and competitiveness of our agri and horticultural industry is vital to the interests of rural communities and our society more generally. The resilience of our farmers and business owners is well known and deeply respected, but the UK Government needs to act now to protect the interests of our rural communities. “
