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Apr 20
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British Growers News Update: Pick For Britain

By Company News

Seasonal Workers ‘Pick for Britain’ campaign

Launch of new Pick for Britain Portal

 British Growers has been working with several industry stakeholders to ensure that growers have the seasonal workers they need to harvest fruit and vegetables over the coming months. We wanted to let you know that a new website was launched today to support this effort. This is a joint Defra and industry initiative to bring together those who are looking for work on UK farms over the harvest period with recruiters who have roles to fill. The website will act as a central hub to signpost people to the jobs available and to provide information about this type of work.

The website will have links to the government ‘Find A Job’ portal to enable individuals to search for jobs by type and location. The aim is also to provide links to a wide range of recruitment campaigns organised by labour providers. The website is hosted by AHDB and has been developed by AHDB, NFU, British Growers, ALP and Defra. More information will be added to the website over the coming weeks.

We’re recommending that growers post seasonal worker vacancies on to the DWP ‘Find A Job’ website, which will ensure a wide reach of potential applicants – including those people who are looking for work as a result of COVID-19 related redundancies or furloughing. The Find a Job website has more than 1.6 million registered users.

The launch of the hub is the first initiative Defra is launching to support growers in bringing home the harvest of 2020. The employment situation is likely to be very fluid and subject to considerable change as the season progresses. Defra is very keen to work with the industry to address the seasonal labour issues and will continue to monitor take up of seasonal roles and evaluate the success of the hub and other supporting initiatives.

Link to the hub: PICK FOR BRITAIN

 

 

Apr 06
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British Growers News Update: Message from George Eustice

By Company News

Message from George Eustice, Secretary of State Defra

 

“To those working hard to feed the nation,

In the face of what is perhaps the greatest health challenge this country has faced in our lifetime, I want to pay tribute to all those who are working around the clock to keep the nation fed – in our fields, processing plants, factories, wholesalers, stores and takeaways and all of those moving goods around the country and to our homes.”

The full text of the letter can be seen here

 

Furloughed workers

The government has updated the guidance on furloughed workers to allow them to take up other employment. This is the advice from the Job Centre Plus website.

If your contract allows, you may undertake other employment while your current employer has placed you on furlough, and this will not affect the grant that they can claim under the scheme. You will need to be able to return to work for the employer that has placed you on furlough if they decide to stop furloughing you, and you must be able to undertake any training they require while on furlough. If you take on new employment, you should make sure you complete the starter checklist form with your new employer correctly. If you are furloughed from another employment, you should complete Statement C. Any activities undertaken while on furlough must be in line with the latest Public Health guidance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Full details including the link to the starter check list can be found here.

 

Operating Guidance for Social Distancing and Other Safety Measures Covering Farm Situations

We have had several calls from growers looking for guidance on how to manage social distancing and other measures designed to ensure the safety of their staff. We have been in touch with Defra about the need for guidance at this level and the issue is under consideration.

The PHE guidance for businesses is being continually updated so it worth checking the site for the latest updates. Here is the link to their site

 

Competition Legislation

On Friday 27 March the Government introduced a temporary relaxation to Competition Law to enable grocery retailers, their suppliers (directly or indirectly) and logistic services to work together for the sole purpose of feeding the nation during these unprecedented circumstances.

Businesses from other areas of food supply that would not normally supply to retailers but now wish to do so to support the coronavirus response may also seek to work together and with retailers to increase the supply of groceries to consumers. More information about the changes on Competition legislation can be found here.

 

Routes to Market

With the closure of the restaurant and hospitality trade, there is an amount of surplus product looking for a home. We have posted a list of box schemes and home delivery businesses on the British Growers website.

In addition, several national initiatives are underway to divert supplies which might have gone to the out-of-home food industry to alternative outlets.

Feeding the nation is one example. This is being led by John Vincent, co-founder of LEON. The plan is to divert food originally destined for the out-of-home market direct to the public, via a website which acts as an on-line marketplace where the public can buy from suppliers. There will be a 1-2% commission which will be used to fund and initiative involving LEON and NHS Workers. We expect more details to be made available shortly.

 

Fresh Produce Consortium – OnYourDoorstop/shop

 

In order to help keep the fresh produce supply chain moving the Fresh Produce Consortium has launched a new online platform which matches suppliers with consumers. OnYourDoorstep has been set up to provide a free of charge service for suppliers of fresh produce in a move to connect them with customers in their local area. “The FPC is encouraging local suppliers across the UK to sign up and take advantage of this valuable free service where we can connect them with local customers” said the Fresh Produce Consortium’s Chief Executive, Nigel Jenney.

For further details please go to the website.

 

British Summer Fruits Limited- Recruitment Campaign

The British Berry Industry have launched their own platform to publicise their members job opportunities, this is shown on an interactive map showing where work can be found across the UK, this is featured on their website here.

They have also diverted spend from their ongoing consumer led PR activity to their recruitment campaign. Follow their twitter campaign here.

Other crop associations have also taken a similar route, British Apples and Pears and the Asparagus Growers Association.

 

Stay safe in these difficult times.

 

British Growers Team

Aug 12
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LSA Fellowship Scheme are seeking new entrants

By Company News

LSA Fellowship Scheme :

12th August 2019

 

The LSA CT Fellowship are seeking news entrants or developing manager within horticulture to apply for the Fellowship Scheme.

John Cappalonga of Gee Vee Enterprise said: “The LSA Trust has set up a Fellowship scheme to develop six promising individuals per year that prepares students for Horticultural leadership in a wide variety of settings within the industry. This comes at a very crucial and exciting time for Horticulture as we seek to improve and modernise in tune with 21st Century techniques of growing and preparations for Brexit.”

Within the Fellowship the individual will have the opportunity to attend; ‘Technical Meetings’ covering topics such as crop protection, resources, and productivity, a Study Tour, Technical/strategic committees of the participating trade bodies and attend a series of the visits where Fellows host the members of their cohort at their place of employment

The Fellowship launched in January 2019 and the first 6 Fellows have been immersed in the scheme for 7 months attending a plethora of industry events and meetings.

“Being part of the LSA fellowship scheme has been a real privilege. I have attended multiple events that have been both interesting, thought provoking and useful in terms of taking ideas back to my place of work. Many of the events I would not have normally got the opportunity to attend and have benefited me hugely in terms of career development. I also feel the whole process has given me a much better understanding of the horticultural industry. All the Fellows are extremely knowledgeable and having the chance to discuss the similarities and differences between how our businesses operate has really opened my eyes to different ways of working and thinking. There is a huge range of diversity in terms of the different areas of the horticultural industry each fellow works and this has meant I have been able to learn a lot about areas of the industry I wouldn’t normally be exposed to. I would highly recommend the LSA fellowship scheme to any young person who is looking to expand their knowledge and understanding of the horticultural industry. ”

Charles Croft, Trainee Growing Manager, APS Produce.

 

Here are the top reasons why you should be applying for the LSA CT Fellowship Scheme:

  • Increase your understanding of the commercial horticulture industry and the role that trade bodies play in the development of industry strategies.
  • A two-year scheme increasing your knowledge of current research and wider industry issues.
  • You will be awarded a bursary of up to £3,000 which you can draw down on to cover your activities within the scheme.
  • Opportunity to attend meetings and study tours across the horticulture sectors, covering technical, strategic and marketing.
  • Chance to experience the entire horticulture industry from propagation to field production.

Applications for year two of the Fellowship will be open from the 2nd of September, visit www.lsactfellowship.org for more details.

The Scheme is being supported by the National Farmers Union, British Growers Association, The Horticultural Trades Association, the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board.

 

For further information on the LSA CT Fellowship Scheme please contact Coral Russell, 01507 602427

Jul 19
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Pretty Mudder!

By Company News

BGA Pretty Mudder!

The British Growers team have made it through the Race for Life, Pretty Mudder raising £759.00. The team battled their way through mud pools, under cargo netting and over obstacles they looked filthy by the time they were through.

 

 

We would like to thank everyone who supported the team, donating money and cheering them on during the day.

Jul 16
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Finding a Solution to the Seasonal Worker Challenge

By Company News, Industry News

Jack Ward has been in meetings with officials from the Home Office looking for practical solutions to the challenge of securing adequate numbers of seasonal workers in the future. Jack explained that the meeting was part of a series of meetings held with Govt Depts and the Edible Horticulture Round Table of which he is the co-chair. The meeting was set up at the request of the Home Office and formed part of their consultation on the White Paper on Immigration published at the end of 2018.

The Government is keen to find a balance between the need for greater control over the numbers of non UK nationals seeking work the UK and the needs of industry. We used the meeting to highlight that the use of seasonal workers makes minimal difference to the numbers seeking to settle permanently in the UK. In the vast majority of cases, seasonal workers come to the UK and return home when the work runs out at the end of the season. The immigration Bill is likely to complete its passage through parliament later this year. The Bill will be largely enabling legislation and the detail will follow in 2020 once the consultation on the fine print is complete.

Jun 22
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Fundraising is Getting Dirty!

By Company News

The British Growers team will become the Mud Warriors when they take part in the Hull Pretty Mudder on July 6th. They will be raising money for Cancer Research UK, a cause which is so important to all of us. The team will battle the 5k obstacle course dressed in their finest pink apparel and ready for action as they scramble, climb and clamber over mud pits, mud slides and mud tunnels.

Cancer is happening right now, which is why the team is taking part in a Race for Life Pretty Muddy: to raise money and save lives.

1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every single pound you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s ground-breaking work, so please sponsor now.

It would be brilliant if you would like to support the team by giving generously to Cancer Research. To donate please visit the fundraising page.

All the pictures of the Mud Warriors, however embarrassing, will be shared after the race.

On the evening of Friday 5 July whilst you are stepping into your pj’s or having another Gin Pauline will be taking part in The Ben Nevis Midnight Challenge for the Alzheimer’s Society and trekking through the night to the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland.

“Why? In memory of Peter Roy Nicholson, my father… builder, businessman, wise owl, hero, best mate, confidante, I was truly blessed to have had him as my Dad. Having enjoyed the best of health during his life, he was struck down with Alzheimer’s. I watched someone I love slip away with this devastatingly cruel illness knowing there was no cure. Anyone’s family who has been touched by Alzheimer’s knows only too well that the torture your loved one suffers and the effect it has on the family as they witness this horrendous illness; It is heart breaking.”

Taking part in The Ben Nevis Challenge will help raise funds towards vital research for a cure of this terrible illness and support for those suffering. Donations of support will be very much appreciated, visit Pauline’s page.

May 31
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Event Sponsorship Opportunities

By Company News

Event Sponsorship Opportunities

There are some exciting sponsorship opportunities available for our upcoming events. If you are interested in any of the opportunities below, please contact Debbie Stacey on admin@britishgrowers.org or 01507 602427.

 

Asparagus Grower Association Biennial Conference :  Tuesday 16 July 2019

National Agri-Food Innovation Campus (NAFIC), Sand Hutton, YO41 1LZ

Main Conference Sponsorship Package – x 2

–          Company logo on all conference literature with company literature insert in handout

–          Trade stand – 6m x 1.5m, with first choice of location

–          Use of banners on stage and around the venue

–          Delegate tickets (5) and dinner tickets (5)

 

UK Vining Pea Industry Conference :  Tuesday 05 November 2019 

The Kingsgate Centre, Peterborough

Main Conference Sponsorship Package

–          Company logo on all conference literature with company literature insert in handout

–          Trade stand – 6m x 1.5m, with first choice of location

–          Use of banners on stage and around the venue

–          Chairmanship of either morning or afternoon conference session

–          Delegate tickets (5)

 

The Onion and Carrot Conference : Wednesday 20 November 2019

The Cambridge Corn Exchange

Lunch Sponsorship

–          Acknowledgment, logo and link on the conference website.  Plus, acknowledgment in the programme and on the opening slides

–          Up to 3m trade stand space in a location of your choice, giving access to all delegates

–          Participation in the choice of lunch options.

–          2 delegate tickets and 2 conference dinner tickets

Programme Sponsorship

–          Acknowledgment, logo and link on the conference website.

–          Acknowledgment in the conference programme and conference opening slides

–          2 delegate tickets for the conference.

–          Participation in the design of the programme.

Dinner Sponsorship £4,000

–          Acknowledgment, logo and link on the conference website

–          Recognition in the handout and fliers

–          Recognition of sponsorship on the dinner menu

–          Banners/publicity material in the dining area

–          Opportunity for involvement with the Dinner planning

–          Opportunity to brief the after-dinner speaker prior to the event

–          Table of 10 for the evening dinner

Post Conference Drinks Reception Sponsorship £1,500

–          Onion Bhajis and Craft Beer drinks reception

–          Acknowledgment, logo and link on the conference website

–          Recognition of sponsorship on the programme

–          Company banners at the drink’s reception

–          2 conference tickets

–          Opportunity to sample and choose the beers served