Page 21 - Issue 67 Online

MANEA MATTERS
MANEA MATTERS
spare parts are imported. Also, in the leek goods produced to standards that are illegal
packhouse, apart from the bespoke machinery here.
designed by ourselves, many of the machines We ask you to do your part and to back British,
are imported. We are all part of a complex supply buy British, as we rise to the challenge of
chain where trade with Europe is essential. feeding our nation in our new world.
This trade needs to be frictionless but,
depending on the new trade arrangements,
it may be necessary for the Government to
impose Tariffs on imported goods. It is possible
that, with Tariffs, imported goods could cost 5%
to 40% more which, in time, can only lead to food
inflation. This is a most unwelcome prospect for
the country in our times of recession.
Our business needs people. At peak capacity
we employ over 250 people. Although we
employ many British nationals, our seasonal
workers are staffed through agencies of whom
the majority’s ethnicity is Eastern European.
Throughout 2020 we fortunately had enough
seasonal workers. In fact, most joined the EU
Settlement Scheme and now have Settled
Status to remain in the UK.
However, the prospects of more available
labour for 2021 and beyond looks daunting.
Labour from overseas will be limited due to
heavy regulation and cost. The Government
has been slow to implement a larger Seasonal
Agricultural Workers Scheme as they predict
UK Nationals will need work and will therefore
seek employment in Agriculture. I trust the
Government are better informed than I on this
one as the “Pick for Britain” campaign failed
to make up the labour shortages last summer
and will it really ever work? Having said that,
if anyone is seeking employment please do
contact the farm.
British Agriculture will survive and adapt
as it always has done so in the past. Most
reassuringly the Government has formed a
Trade and Agriculture Commission, which
has the statutory power to ensure our British
standards will not be undermined by imported

DEADLINE for Issue 68 – Friday 19 February 2021 PAGE 21
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