Mushroom growers have told the High Court it is unfair that they have to pay their workers more than producers of tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines or sweet peppers.
The Agricultural Wages of Board of England and Wales last year ruled that the mushroom industry must pay harvesters £5.15 an hour, rather than the £4.50 paid by the other industries. The reason for the difference in pay was because mushroom work is difficult to mechanise.
Mushroom growers say the industry is under threat from international competition, which leaves them unable to pay the higher hourly rate. The growers were granted permission to proceed with their case.
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