The Ulster Farmers' Union is among 21 organisations in Northern Ireland calling for regional flexibility around migrant labour policies.
Shrinking numbers of European workers in Northern Ireland are creating labour shortages which are affecting businesses’ daily operations.
Since the Brexit referendum, the number of European Economic Area (EEA) workers in Northern Ireland has fallen by 26%.
For the agricultural industry, such migrant labour accounts for around 20 percent of the workforce in Northern Ireland, a report has found.
Local business organisations and representative bodies have now joined forces on an unprecedented scale, writing to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland requesting an "urgent solution" to a problem which could lead to the demise of many key industries.
Speaking on behalf of the 21 signatory organisations, Chair of Confederation of British Industry (CBI) NI, Trevor Lockhart, said the labour shortage is having a "major impact" on industries, in particular food and farming.
He said: “We need access to non-EU workers to fill low-skilled positions as an immediate priority, as well as a strategy to address gaps in higher-skills across various sectors.
“We have asked the Home Office to recognise the need for regional flexibility to resolve the challenges faced by the sector. Facing similar pressures, the Republic of Ireland has already introduced a sector-based scheme which grants visas to non-EU workers.
“Without a similar approach for Northern Ireland, local businesses will face an even greater competitive threat, particularly as many sectors such as agri-food now work increasingly on an all-island basis.
He added: “This means that if labour is not available in Northern Ireland, operations here could be scaled back, enabling further expansion in the Republic of Ireland where non-EU labour is available. This would also threaten the thousands of indigenous supporting jobs which are co-dependent on migrant labour.”
Stressing the critical juncture that Northern Ireland is currently at in relation to Brexit negotiations, Mr Lockhart said the UK Government must reach a Brexit deal that is "crucial" for the Northern Ireland's economic success and viability.
