Proactive Investors - Labour shortages across the agricultural sector are putting pressure on the UK's food supply, dairy provider Arla has warned.
According to the firm, the end of free movement and a shift in people opting for remote-working roles after the pandemic has hit farmers.
One in 12 responded to a survey by Arla saying they had been forced to cut output due to such shortages, including by reducing herds.
Some 16% also said they would consider stopping farming unless the situation improved, Arla’s survey found.
“Our farmers have told us for some time that they are facing real challenges with the state of the labour market,” Arla UK managing director Bas Padberg commented.
“If we want our farmers to continue to put food on the table in millions of homes around the country they need help.”
Staff shortages have also led to wage inflation across the sector, with farmers found to be paying a third more this year than before the pandemic struck and free movement between Europe and the UK ended as a result of the Brexit referendum.