The government has extended the seasonal worker visa scheme for a further five years from 2025 to 2029, with 2,000 visas available for poultry workers in 2025.
The decision had been made, the government said, because it recognised the “need for farmers and growers to have time to invest in automation and move away from a reliance on migrant labour”.
The horticulture sector will also benefit from the scheme, with 43,000 visas being made available to the sector in 2025.
The announcement was made as part of a package of measures in response to the Shropshire Independent Review into Labour Shortages.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “This will be a huge relief for the horticulture and poultry sectors that rely on seasonal workers and is a brilliant win for the NFU, which has been campaigning for a long-term plan for seasonal workers for some time.
“We know that with the correct trading conditions there are significant opportunities for growth and the commitment to a five-year scheme is very positive. Moving forward, it is vital to have assurance that the number of visas and the costs associated with accessing them will continue to meet the needs of our food producers.
“It is important that these positive announcements are reinforced by the Government at its forthcoming Farm to Fork Summit, and that the industry and government can work together to drive growth for UK food and farming.”