Butchers and abattoir workers from overseas will be granted seasonal worker visas to deal with the backlog of pigs that need to be slaughtered, the government has announced.

Agriculture Secretary George Eustice said about 800 pig butchers from overseas are needed to avoid a mass pig cull and he expects to see them arriving in November.

He added that abattoirs will be offered private storage aid (PSA) so they can temporarily store pork before going to market to clear the backlog.

PSA is a taxpayer-funded market intervention scheme that unlocks funding for slaughtered pigs to be held in private cold stores.

The government is also changing the rules around cabotage – the loading and unloading of goods in one country – for EU truck drivers in the UK so they can do as many trips as they like in a two-week period.

However, Mr Eustice said the requirement for butchers to be fluent in English will not be dropped, as was expected.

The agriculture secretary said the loss of staff from the pig industry has “nothing to do with Brexit”.

COVID news live: Daily cases and deaths rise again as expert warns leaving home with symptoms is like ‘drink driving’

Insulate Britain announces it’s suspending its campaign of ‘civil resistance’ in letter to PM

UK trade deals should prioritise economic growth over environmental protections – leaked govt document

He said: “It’s a complex picture: there have been lots of market disruptions, problems with access to the Chinese market, maybe some overproduction – here production is up by about 7% – and yes, labour has been an aggravating factor but it’s not been the only factor.

“The pig industry and in common with many parts of the food industry has seen a loss of staff as many of the EU citizens
that they relied on left during the pandemic – nothing to do with Brexit.

“They were entitled to stay, but many of those chose to return to be with their families during a difficult time of the
pandemic.”

The shortage of butchers affects around 1,400 farms that supply 90% of British pork through contracts with major processors.

Related posts:

Sunak prepares to pump cash into COVID recovery as tax rise debate continues Chancellor promises to use ‘fiscal firepower’ in budget to protect jobs and livelihoods No 10 backs England players’ right to take the knee – but does not condemn fans who booed Foreign break for PM not ruled out – after Britons told to ‘holiday at home’ by minister Tory lockdown critic sees off bid by PM’s supporters to oust him from top Conservative role Boris Johnson did not break MPs code of conduct over Christmas Caribbean holiday, report finds PM vows to ‘shift heaven and earth’ to get more people out of Afghanistan after 31 August deadline Businesses ‘frustrated’ as government rejects plea to loosen Brexit visa rules amid supply chain crisis Football fans set to be allowed to stand at English stadiums before end of this season Brexit ‘obviously a contributory factor’ to shortage of HGV drivers – shadow chancellor No cases of new variant in UK – but ‘highly likely’ it has spread to other countries, Javid says ‘Concern’ over rise in over-50s admitted to hospital with COVID, minister says