Farms and other rural businesses need an early Government commitment to post-Brexit schemes that will enable them to keep employing workers from the EU and beyond as well as those from the UK, according to the CLA.
The organisation, which represents 32,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses, says the rural economy will be particularly affected by changes to policies on employing migrant workers from the EU and that uncertainty may affect investments and job creation in the rural sector.
It wants to allay fears with a swift confirmation of the status of EU migrants already resident in the UK – as well as a commitment to establishing sector-specific schemes for seasonal and skilled workers.
CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said: “We are asking the Home Secretary to commit to establishing sector-based schemes that will ensure opportunities for seasonal and skilled workers from both the UK and overseas if free movement of labour is removed.”
