John Shropshire, the former chief executive of major horticulture producer G’s Fresh Group has been appointed to head up an independent review into labour shortages in the supply chain.
John will be supposed by an expert panel from across the farming, fisheries, process and manufacturing aspects of the supply chain, which will include Fiona Dawson, non-executive director at M&S, the Lego Group and Kerry Group; Martin Ford, technical and sustainability director at Greencore UK; Mark Greet, former managing director at Falfish; William Kendall, food entrepreneur and director at Samworth Brothers; and Dr David Llewellyn CBE, founding member of the Skills Development Board which helped create the institute for Agriculture and Horticulture.
Environment secretary, George Eustice said: “I want to thank John Shropshire for agreeing to lead this independent review into labour shortages in the food supply chain. His industry knowledge and experience make him an ideal candidate to chair the review.
Whilst labour shortages are affecting countries around the world, we have already boosted the number of visas available through the seasonal workers route to 40,000 and extended it to include poultry and ornamental horticulture and we are working to encourage people to take up jobs in the sector. Labour is a key issue for British farmers and farming and this report will give the government vital insight into how to address it in future.”
The Government’s Food Strategy recognises that the sector cannot sustainably rely on migrant labour. The review will consider the challenges facing food and farming businesses to recruit and retail the labour and will provide recommendations for industry and Government to consider.
The final report will be publishes in 2023 and the Government resp