In a strong letter addressed to Theresa May’s Tory Government, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, M&S and the National Farmer’s Union have stressed the importance of migrant workers and that a “hard Brexit” could threaten the UK’s food supplies.
They added that tariff-free access to the single market is vital to the industry. A so-called hard Brexit refers to the UK leaving the single market and customs union and it is currently unclear what the Government’s plans are.
In the letter published in the Times, the group have asked the Government to confirm whether European Union citizens working permanently in the UK will have a right to remain.
Already under fierce scrutiny from the Labour Party and the general public, it appears the Government will have even more factors to consider whilst it devises its plan for Brexit.
Theresa May has repeatedly insisted ‘Brexit means Brexit’, however it’s fairly unclear what Brexit actually means. The Conservative Party has recently been forced by Labour into admitting that it will reveal its plans before triggering Article 50 in March.
Multiple organisations and unions signed the letter across England, Scotland and Wales.
“For our sector maintaining tariff-free access to the EU single market is a vital priority. It is where 75 per cent of our food exports go, so all our farming and food businesses wish to achieve this outcome,” states the letter.
“The sector needs access to EU and non-EU seasonal and permanent labour, alongside assurances that EU workers already working permanently in the UK are allowed to remain.
“This access to labour is essential as it underpins the UK food chain's timely delivery of high quality affordable food to consumers. We would urge that the UK Government seeks both these goals as the whole of society and the economy will benefit.”
Theresa May recently said she is seeking an “ambitious” trade deal for life after the EU.