UK: Britain's potato sector has been hit by a crisis

This decline is caused by acute labor shortages and increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, writes FPC FreshTalkDaily. It said the Brexit vote, which was meant to "take back control" of borders and laws, led to an exodus of EU workers who were crucial to the agricultural sector. The new immigration rules not only limited the flow of seasonal workers, but also created a labor vacuum that local workers could not fill. The visa rules for seasonal workers introduced by the government have been found to be inadequate, with limited use and insufficient numbers to meet the needs of the agricultural sector. Adding to the plight of farmers are extreme weather conditions that have become more frequent and severe. Climate change has led to prolonged periods of drought accompanied by heavy rains, damaging crops and making farming more difficult. In addition, recent trade agreements with countries such as Australia and New Zealand have increased the pressure on local farmers. These ...