Pig industry 'alarmed' by leaked immigration documents

National Pig Association said the industry is "alarmed" by Home Office’s suggestion that migrant labour from EU should be severely restricted

The pig industry has expressed concern following the publication of a leaked document giving an insight into the Government’s current thinking on its post-Brexit immigration policy.

The document, leaked to The Guardian, shows the Government intends to be tough on immigration, ending the free movement of labour as soon as the UK leaves the EU.

Of particular concern for the pig sector, according to the National Pig Association (NPA), are plans to curb so-called ‘unskilled’ workers from the EU by, for example, introducing a cap on numbers and a salary and skills threshold.

While the document, which has not been signed off by Ministers, stresses the Government’s desire to keep the UK’s doors open to skilled labour from the EU, other policy ideas include ending the right to settle in Britain for most European migrants and new restrictions on their rights to bring in family members.

“Put plainly, this means that, to be considered valuable to the country as a whole, immigration should benefit not just the migrants themselves but also make existing residents better off,” the paper says.

'Alarmed'

NPA senior policy advisor Ed Barker said the pig industry is "alarmed" by the Home Office’s suggestion that migrant labour from the EU should be severely restricted, particularly those who fall under the ‘unskilled’ definition.

He said: “Many workers in the pig sector fall into this category but are in fact highly skilled and make a significant contribution to the economy.

“We have made our position clear that migrant labour is integral to the businesses of NPA members; 58% of members indicated to the NPA’s migrant labour survey that they employed at least one migrant labourer, with 20% indicating they would struggle to survive without it.

“Whilst the paper refers to the ongoing work of the Migratory Advisory Committee, it is vital that the Committee is able to report its findings quickly, so that it can adequately shape Government policy.

“We note that the paper recognises the need for a sector by sector approach to business needs on migrant labour, and the NPA would urge that the pig sector should be able to state its unique case for continued access to migrant labour for permanent, ‘unskilled’ roles.”