Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has written to the UK Farming Minister Mark Spencer on the back of a recent independent review of labour shortages in the food supply chain.

Ms Gougeon acknowledges the review scope is limited to England only, but said she has “written repeatedly” to the UK Government urging more support for the sector, pointing to issues including skills shortages and cost increases.

She said: “We need to have a workable UK immigration system that is fit for all sectors, including the food and drink industry, and tailored to the needs of our economy, public services and communities. In that respect, it is disappointing that the independent review focuses on England only, as our view is that UK immigration policies cannot be implemented without a full understanding of the specific needs of our remote rural and island communities, for example, and of the needs of the devolved nations more generally.

“It is my firm view that this review presents us with a watershed moment to work together constructively to redouble our efforts to support the sector.

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“And so, I urge the UK Government to take a collaborative and evidence based approach to its response, including engaging early with the devolved governments to ensure that any policies taken forward, in light of the review, might be tailored in such a way to benefit all of the UK. Quite simply, our door is open and we are keen to work on labour and immigration policy areas which, as the industry has already highlighted to the UK Government, would make a key difference to the food and agricultural sector confidence, sustainability and security.”

A copy of the letter has also been sent to a number of Scottish and UK Government Ministers, as well as the Welsh Government and the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.