Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 29
The example of the veterinarian sector highlights the important role that overseas- trained employees undertake...
Conclusion
The example of the veterinarian sector highlights the important role that overseas- trained employees undertake in the food supply chain, in this case working in abattoirs that are unattractive to UK-trained vets. In addition, these Official Veterinarians face an increase in their workload due to increased checks on exports 32 The UK’s new immigration policy and the food supply chain as a result of Brexit. These factors, combined with the fact it takes several years to train vets, risk creating a situation where there is insufficient veterinary labour, without which animal products cannot be cleared for export.
Paragraph Reference:
29
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.1. When outlining the purpose of the UK points-based immigration system, the Government was clear that we wanted employers to focus on training and investing in our domestic work force, rather than relying on labour from abroad. At the same time, we want to make it simpler for employers to attract the best and brightest from around the world to come to the UK to complement the skills we already have. 3.2. The Government agrees with the committee that considerations around training requirements and skill development need to be factored into the policy making process as a priority. These elements are critical to securing the long-term recruitment pipeline for all food chain sectors. 3.3. Since the introduction of the new system, Defra and the Home Office have been working diligently with industry to assess all available information relating to the availability of skilled labour, including monitoring bottlenecks and shortages in the sectors. This work will continue into the future.