To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline (i) the knock-on effects to the agri-food sector of the labour shortage in this industry, including potential livestock culls; and (ii) the long-term effects if the labour shortage is not addressed.

I recognise the enormous pressure that the agri-food industry is experiencing with regards to labour problems, particularly in relation to the number of slaughter plant operatives and butchers in our abattoirs and processing plants.

The impact of the current labour shortages in pig processing plants is being felt heavily at the farm level. The increasing numbers of backlogged pigs on farm creates the potential for animal welfare issues, particularly in more intensive operations such as poultry and pigs. This is a very stressful situation for farmers and their families.

A cull on welfare grounds is very much a last option and we need to do all that we can to avoid that possibility. No livestock reared to supply the food system in Northern Ireland are currently being culled and incinerated as a result of labour shortages in the agri-food sector. Officials continue to monitor the position with regard to the welfare of animals and continue to hold regular meetings with industry.

As you know Immigration Policy is a reserved matter so I have pressed the importance of this issue upon top levels of Government in Whitehall on a number of occassions, in the hope that adjustments to the Immigraton System could remedy the situation as quickly as possible.

We have seen some movement in the recent announcement on additional temporary visas for HGV drivers, poultry workers and butchers for the pork sector. These temporary visas may help to alleviate some of the immediate concerns but they are not enough; what we need is adjustments to Immigration Policy itself, which will allow the agri-food industry to plan for the longer term. I will continue to lobby Whitehall to consider the adjustments to the Immigration System which I have recommended to them.

However, that cannot be the end of the story; there needs to be a clear plan of action from the industry to facilitate a return to market stability (and recovery in the longer term). I am commited to working with the industry to resolve the issues in the sector.

The Home Office remain firm in their ambition to address labour shortages via the domestic workforce and automation. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) provides a range of education, knowledge transfer and innovation programmes to develop the competencies and values of those entering and working in the Northern Ireland agri-food industry, to support its sustainable growth.

Staff at Loughry Campus work particularly closely with businesses and stakeholders in the food processing sector and are actively working with companies to promote opportunities for employment within the sector to CAFRE students, graduates and new entrants. Through its partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, Invest NI and the NI Food and Drink Association, CAFRE is also actively investigating the innovative use of robotics and automation as a means to mitigate the challenge of labour shortage.