Farmers will be able to hire foreign poultry workers to help fill staff shortages ahead of the Christmas turkey rush, the government has said.

Roles in the poultry industry have been added to the list of jobs eligible for a seasonal worker visa, immigration minister Tom Pursglove said.

Employers will now be able to hire staff from overseas to fill the roles – provided they are paid a minimum of £10.10 an hour and work for at least 30 hours a week.

Number 10 hints pensions triple lock could be abandoned – politics latest

In a written statement to parliament, published on Tuesday, Mr Pursglove said: “The seasonal worker visa route is being expanded to include roles in the poultry sector, to support a genuine seasonal labour need in the lead up to Christmas, not evident in other sectors.

“Poultry workers under occupation code 5431 (butcher) or 5433 (for example, processor) must be paid at least £25,600 each year. All other poultry workers must be paid £10.10 for each hour worked and receive at least 30 hours’ paid employment each week.

“These requirements are in place to discourage poor conditions often seen in the sector.”

Swimmers take plunge across UK for bracing Christmas morning dip

Arnold Schwarzenegger donates £186,000 to provide 25 ‘tiny homes’ for war veterans

Duchess of Cambridge: Kate plays piano publicly for the first time alongside popstar Tom Walker at Westminster Abbey carol concert

Around 10 million turkeys are eaten in the UK every year at Christmas.

It is not yet clear how the current avian flu outbreak will affect the availability of turkeys this Christmas.

On Monday, Great Britain’s chief veterinary officers declared a prevention zone across the whole of the island.

It is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England, Wales and Scotland to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

Measures include keeping free-range birds within fenced areas and for keepers with more than 500 birds to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting site vehicles regularly.

It is the largest-ever outbreak of bird flu in Great Britain, with 190 confirmed cases since late October 2021, and more than 30 of those confirmed since the beginning of the month.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said the risk to public health from the virus is very low.

The Food Standards Agency said avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for customers and advised that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Related posts:

Brexit border in Irish Sea ‘playing fast and loose with peace process’, warns new DUP leader PM says there is ‘increasing confidence’ vaccines work against variants ‘Crystal clear’: Hancock defends government’s stance on travel to amber list countries Health Secretary Sajid Javid apologises for saying people should no longer ‘cower from’ COVID Labour MP right to call PM a liar in Commons – Starmer Sunak fails to commit to eastern HS2 leg days before autumn Budget Health secretary Sajid Javid ‘leaning towards’ compulsory COVID vaccines for NHS staff PM speech criticised by City experts over Peppa Pig reference – as it was bought by US firm amid Brexit fears Labour calls for ‘urgent’ action over fears 12 to 15-year-olds may not get jab until February PM wants to reduce ‘aberration’ of high taxes caused by ‘fiscal meteorite of COVID’ Another leak in the House of Commons – this time actual water poured in Decision on Rwanda deportation legal challenge delayed until September