Breaking the chain. Key workforce considerations for the UK food and drink supply chain as we leave the EU

Further information
In light of the findings, the survey included a number of key recommendations to Government. These include:

Short term
+ Legislate to secure the rights of EEA nationals currently in the UK.
+ Review the recording of immigration data.
+ Recognise the strategic importance of food and drink supply chain.

Medium term
+ Build an attractive and effective migration system.
+ Ensure no cliff-edge when the UK leaves the EU.
+ Increase efficiency through adequate Home Office resourcing.

Long term
+ Investment in skills provision for the food and drink supply chain.
+ Support access to hard-to-reach labour market solutions.
+ Allow benefits system to make flexible working easier.

The UK Government had been clear in its desire to reduce net migration, but the sector faced a rapidly approaching workforce shortage and skills gap which cannot be solved overnight. Industry cannot afford a 'cliff edge' which impacts on its ability to grow, produce and serve the food eaten. With this in mind the sector welcomed the announcement from the Prime Minister in June 2017 regarding safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU.

An abrupt reduction in the number of workers from the EU able to work in the UK after Brexit would cause significant disruption to the whole food and drink supply chain. It is vital that this change is carefully managed through an orderly transition. The supply chain was aware of the expectation to reduce reliance on EU workers and was focused on upskilling wherever possible locally within the UK, with a strong emphasis on building skills through apprenticeships and investment in technology to support automation. However, with record high levels of employment in key geographical locations, it is often a question of local labour availability for the roles the sector are seeking to fill.

UK Food and Drink Supply Chain Workforce Group
The following organisations were members:
+ Association of Labour Providers (ALP)
+ British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)
+ British Hospitality Association (BHA)
+ British Retail Consortium (BRC)
+ Food and Drink Federation (FDF)
+ Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC)
+ National Farmers Union (NFU) A report called Breaking the chain. Key workforce considerations for the UK food and drink supply chain as we leave the EU was published in August 2017 by members of the UK Food and Drink Supply Chain Workforce Group, of which the Food and Drink Federation was a member.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the UK food and drink industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the country.

The overall food and drink supply chain sector across the UK was worth £110bn a year and employed four million people across the UK. The survey cast new light on the 'farm to fork' sector's Brexit priorities from a workforce perspective. It also lay bare the severity of the situation that the UK food and drink supply chain faced without reassurances regarding the future of EU workers. EU nationals number two million across the UK economy, with 20% of these workers employed across the food and drink supply chain.

The findings of the survey revealed:

+ Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said EU nationals were considering leaving the UK due to uncertainty surrounding their future.
+ Over a third (36%) of businesses surveyed said they would become unviable if they had no access to EU workers.
+ Almost a third (31%) of businesses surveyed had seen EU nationals leave since the EU referendum.
+ 17% of respondents said they would look to relocate overseas if they had no access to EU nationals.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

FDF: Press Release, 24.08.17: Businesses in 'farm to fork' supply chain reveal workforce concerns in landmark Brexit survey https://www.fdf.org.uk/news.aspx?article=7866

Food and Drink Federation (FDF): Exiting the EU https://www.fdf.org.uk/eu-referendum-toolkit.aspx

University of Sussex: Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), 2017: A Food Brexit: time to get real. A Brexit Briefing http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-food-brexit-time-to-get-real-a-brexit-briefing/

ESO: Background information: A brave new world: how reduced migration could affect earnings, employment and the labour market (Resolution Fund, 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-brave-new-world-how-reduced-migration-could-affect-earnings-employment-and-the-labour-market/

BBC News, 24.08.17: Food industry warns of Brexit workforce shortage http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41025082

The Guardian, 24.08.17: Food and drink industry says EU staff exodus will damage economy https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/24/food-and-drink-industry-eu-staff-exodus-brexit-damage-economy

---