The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has asked ministers to extend Covid regulations for seasonal staff in the horticultural sector at turkey processing sites in the run-up to Christmas.
Currently, government regulations allow fruit and vegetable pickers to include their 14-day era of self-de-insulation in their paint program, as long as they live on the farm.
But turkey farm staff and processing sites, who come to the UK for seven weeks from November to mid-December, have the same opportunity.
AIMS policy leader Norman Bagley warned that “time is running out” for turkey breeders to plan their plans and make sure they have enough labor to get meat for Christmas celebrations in the UK.
“We have members who have hired the same people year after year,” he said.
“These professional painters come from countries like Slovakia and Poland and paint on farms, processing turkey for our country’s annual Christmas celebrations.
“Our members told us they would make sure they were tested for the coronavirus before they arrive in the UK, as well as having arrangements to perform the tests once they are here.
“We call on the government to urgently update regulations so that seasonal agricultural staff come with turkey processing staff in short stays. “