Farming organisations are among a group of 21 Northern Ireland business organisations who have penned a letter to the Prime Minister regarding serious post-Brexit labour concerns.
The groups – which include the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association, Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association and Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association – say they are worried about the current availability of labour in the region and the associated migration policies in a post-Brexit era.
Those behind the letter say that shrinking numbers of European workers in Northern Ireland are already critically affecting many businesses’ daily operations.
The letter sent to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland requests an urgent solution.
Speaking on behalf of the 21 signatory organisations, CBI NI chairman Trevor Lockhart said: “Since the Brexit referendum, the number of European Economic Area (EEA) workers in Northern Ireland has fallen by 26%, adding further pressure to an already tight labour market.
“This is having a major impact on industry here, affecting, in particular, the food processing, hospitality, and construction sectors.
We need access to non-EU workers to fill low-skilled positions as an immediate priority, as well as a strategy to address gaps in higher-skills across various sectors.
“We have asked the Home Office to recognise the need for regional flexibility to resolve the challenges faced by the sector.
“Facing similar pressures, the Republic of Ireland has already introduced a sector-based scheme which grants visas to non-EU workers.
“Without a similar approach for Northern Ireland, local businesses will face an even greater competitive threat, particularly as many sectors such as agri-food now work increasingly on an all-island basis.
“This means that if labour is not available in Northern Ireland, operations here could be scaled back, enabling further expansion in the Republic of Ireland where non-EU labour is available. This would also threaten the thousands of indigenous supporting jobs which are co-dependent on migrant labour.”
‘Crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic success’
Stressing the critical juncture that Northern Ireland is currently at in relation to Brexit negotiations, Lockhart added: “We need the UK and the EU to reach a Brexit deal. That is crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic success and viability.
“One of the undertakings identified in the December 2017 joint report by the UK and EU Brexit negotiators was to ensure that any deal reached would not disadvantage Northern Ireland’s economic interest.
“That was a commitment. However, there is now grave concern within the business community that in a ‘No-deal’ situation, the UK Government would not be bound by these special undertakings, and Northern Ireland would suffer as a result.”
“We are engaging with our local politicians, urging them to recognise the significance of this threat to our economy and wider society, and calling on them to exert their influence on the Government at this critical time.”
