Guy Faulconbridge

LONDON, Reuters – Britain will provide emergency visas for 800 butchers in six months to prevent a massive pig slaughter. This was after the country received complaints from farmers about a large exodus of meat processors and workers leaving the sector.

According to the National Pig Association, Brexit combined with COVID-19 have sparked an exodus from east European workers. There are now 120,000 pigs left in fields and barns across the country, waiting to be killed.

George Eustice, Environment Secretary, said that temporary visas will address the issue farmers claimed was putting their livelihoods in danger and creating welfare problems for animals.

Eustice said that while the Seasonal Worker Scheme will allow abattoir butchers to bring in pigs on temporary terms, it would not permit meat processors to take in pigs.

“That will enable us to address the backlog in pigs we have currently on farms, and allow meat processors to slaughter more of them.”

Eustice stated that 800 butchers were needed to eliminate the backlog. He also announced private storage assistance to aid abattoirs in storing meat.

However, he stated that government officials had not relaxed the English language requirements for skilled visas in order to permit more butchers through this route. That was a crucial demand by farmers, who have been asking for action since weeks.

He stated that the industry wanted to see the requirement of language on the skill route. We have considered that, but it doesn’t seem to be a solution for their specific challenge. We decided to get temporary visas instead.

Britain faces a shortage of workers in many areas, including the lack of butchers.

The government announced that temporary visas would be issued to 5,500 foreign poultry workers and 5,000 foreign truck drivers last month. But the government is encouraging businesses to work with British employees, not relying on foreign labour.

Ministers were also keen to dismiss suggestions that Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union had been the major problem for supply chain workers.

Eustice reported that many workers in the pig sector had fled the country during the pandemic.

Eustice explained that the picture is complex. “There have been many market disruptions and problems with China’s access, perhaps some overproduction. Here production has risen by approximately 7%. Yes, labour has been an aggravating but not the sole factor.

“The loss of personnel in the pig industry and other food industries has been caused by the departure of many EU citizens during the pandemic. It had nothing to do Brexit.

He stated that the EU driver cabotage regulations would be relaxed to allow them to make as many trips over two weeks as they like as part of his efforts in addressing the shortage of drivers for lorries.