Priti Patel’s Immigration Bill insults workers and threatens food security

The government must pay heed to the importance of these key workers and introduce routes for food workers to come in and fill vacancies, writes Richard Griffiths

Priti Patel's immigration legislation is currently working its way through parliament (AFP)

It is a travesty that the government’s proposed immigration policy demonstrates lack of "common sense", ignores Britain’s food heroes, and threatens our national interest.

The home secretary, Priti Patel’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill yet again labels "key workers" in the food industry – and who have worked incredibly hard to keep this country running throughout the coronavirus crisis – as ‘low skilled’ and therefore disposable.

I wonder if government really cares that the food on the nation’s dinner tables under lockdown is being produced in large part by the people who their proposed policy will alienate. This Bill shows a complete disregard for British food production and may have a crippling effect on our national food security.

Britain’s food workers (half of which are EU migrants) have made extraordinary sacrifices to keep the nation fed in these difficult times. Covid-19 has ensured recognition for the migrant workers who the government previously dismissed but now have perversely upgraded in their public rhetoric from "low-skilled" to "essential" to running the country.

While it’s tragic that it takes a pandemic like this to highlight the importance of workers in food, can the UK really afford to lose its unsung food heroes who muck in, face the challenges and risk their lives to feed this country?

Coronavirus has reinforced the importance of self-belief and dignity that comes wrapped up in food. The government must recognise food as a special case that is treated as a national security issue. It must ensure that British food, and the quality it represents, stays affordable and available for all.

Losing control of how we feed ourselves as a nation would undermine British food producers at a time when we should be taking matters of food security into our own hands.

The Home Office’s immigration plans are set to cripple food businesses already facing the consequences of the pandemic and make access to quality British food harder for people. This country needs policies that strengthen our communities rather than divide them, policies that help breathe new economic and social life into many struggling communities and policies that do not end up forcing people to go without food.

Key workers are part of Britain’s prestige Our workers in food, regardless of where they come from, are an important part of Britain’s cultural fabric and prestige. British food businesses deserve an immigration policy that makes it easier for them to retain access to skills and talent that Britain sorely needs.

Poultry is half the meat the country eats. Our sector has grown significantly, beyond the UK labour availability in the areas we operate (where the unemployment rate remains low). Around 60 per cent of our workforce – 22,800 people – are EU nationals who are going above and beyond to keep this country fed.

Poultry meat producers are continuing to invest in technology, people, and this country. The government must understand that automation is not a magic bullet that can bridge the skills gap. Our sector has jobs that need human skills, jobs that support our economy and communities, and jobs that ensure everyone has access to British food produced to British standards.

From farmers and vets who look after our birds, through butchers and engineers who keep our factories working, to drivers and distributors who get food to the shelves. The government must pay heed to the importance of these key workers in keeping the country running and introduce routes for food workers to come in and fill vacancies that cannot be filled by UK workers.

Securing British food for future generations must be a national priority. We cannot run the risk of creating a two-tier food system where we import food produced to lower standards and only the affluent can afford high quality British produce.

Richard Griffiths is chief executive of the British Poultry Council