The Home Office’s announcement of a points-based migration system and its parallel review of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme mean a four-year reprieve for the vital scheme.

The move has been welcomed by the National Farmers’ Union’s board of horticulture chairman Richard Hirst. “All other sector-based schemes will end this year, but SAWS has another four years,” said Hirst. “Time for the industry to influence government further and time for the industry to adapt to the new circumstances.”

While some in the horticulture and fresh produce packing sectors are fearful that the application of the points system in 2010 could compound labour shortages, Defra has moved swiftly to dissuade their fears. “There are provisions in the skilled migrant scheme to allow for horticultural labour provision,” said a spokesman. “Tier 3 will bring in the low-skilled migrant labour for horticulture and agriculture and the system also has flexibility. For example if any sector experiences shortages, it can ask government for short-term managed migration schemes. These will be run by a skilled advisory body and there will be one for horticulture and agriculture.”

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