The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) stated that advice urging companies in the sector to hire more British workers fails to consider the suitability and willingness of these individuals to perform the required jobs and their ability to travel to their assigned locations.
According to the trade body, British meat industry businesses are keen to employ local workers. However, the substantial costs, up to £15,000, associated with recruiting staff from distant areas have compelled them to question policymakers’ decisions. The BMPA emphasizes that these expenses are not voluntary but rather a necessity.
Nick Allen, CEO of the BMPA, declared, “Two of our members alone have invested a total of £10 million over the past 18 months to bring in the necessary staff from overseas, as suitable candidates within the UK are simply not available. This is an additional cost, separate from wages, which did not exist prior to our departure from the EU. Furthermore, it accompanies a nearly 20% increase in wages. To remain viable, these costs are inevitably being transferred to consumers, fueling food price inflation and diminishing the competitiveness of British companies.”
Allen continued, “Whether they are economically inactive or facing other barriers, it is a harsh reality that many British workers are either reluctant or physically unable to pursue jobs in specific industries. Meat processing is one of those sectors struggling to fill vacancies within the local workforce.
“While we are actively addressing the perception issue, the greater challenge lies in the lack of geographical mobility and the physically demanding work environment. Unfortunately, we are unable to modify these factors due to both productivity and food safety considerations.”
The BMPA maintains that the solution to these ongoing issues lies somewhere between short-term dependence on foreign labor and a long-term transformation in how certain careers are perceived and valued in the UK. However, achieving this requires the collaboration and support of the government, schools, and educational institutions.
