Dairy cooperative Arla Foods has urgently called on the Government to enhance support for farmers facing significant challenges.
Recent data from Arla has revealed alarming trends within the food and farming sectors, particularly stemming from a shortage of available labor. This shortage is posing serious risks to food security across the UK.
According to the survey conducted by Arla, more than half of the farmers indicated that recruiting suitable staff has become increasingly difficult. Specifically, 86% of farmers experiencing vacancies reported having very few or no applicants possessing the necessary skills. This statistic underscores the urgent need for action.
The survey further indicates that, on average, farmers are now compensating their staff 27% more than they did at the end of 2019, prior to the pandemic and the cessation of free movement for EU workers. Arla has stressed that this rise in labor costs is directly affecting food prices, thereby intensifying the pressures on the UK’s food security.
Bas Padberg, the managing director of Arla Foods, emphasized the ongoing struggles farmers are facing due to a challenging labor market. He remarked, “Our farmers have told us for some time that they are facing real challenges with the state of the labour market. This new data bears out their concerns and the potential impact on food prices and food security.”
Padberg continued, “If we want our farmers to continue to put food on the table in millions of homes around the country, they need help. We’re calling on the Government and industry to work together to bring people into our exciting sector, and then to give them the skills and equipment they need to be fully productive. What Ministers have said already about driving growth and supporting training is positive; we now need to go further and faster.”
Arla’s Call for Government Action
In light of these pressing issues, Arla Foods has outlined a detailed list of requests directed at the Government. These include initiatives to reduce bureaucratic burdens on farmers by simplifying regulatory paperwork, promoting the food and farming sector, fostering skills development, and providing up-to-date portable qualifications. Additionally, Arla is advocating for accelerated investments in technology to facilitate automation in agricultural practices.
Arla has formally reached out to both the Environment Secretary and the Prime Minister, inviting them to support these vital proposals.
Fran Ball, the vice president of production at Arla, further elaborated on the situation, stating, “The challenges in recruiting suitably skilled people into the food supply chain is becoming increasingly harder. With advancements in technology and automation, we should be getting more efficient, but we still need the right people with the right skills if we want to have a workforce that is fit for the future.”
Moreover, Arla has urged the Government to “expedite welcome changes” to the Apprenticeship Levy, enabling easier access to funding for upskilling and training employees. The cooperative also highlighted the necessity for reforms in careers guidance provided in schools and emphasized the importance of integrating more comprehensive education around opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, and the food sector.
