Extracts from
Commons debate on the UK’s Withdrawal from the EU
Dame (Meriden)
(Con):...As 29 March approaches, it is paramount that we
leave the EU with a deal—I have voted for the Prime Minister’s
deal. Leaving without a deal would be catastrophic. This is not
project fear; this is reality. These are real people’s lives that I
am talking about. On Tuesday evening, I co-chaired a meeting with
my friend the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey)
of a wide range of organisations: Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Airbus,
Siemens, the CBI, the EEF, the NFU, the British Ceramic
Confederation, the Association of British Insurers and so on. The
damage of continued uncertainty and the lingering prospect of no
deal was made perfectly clear. A total of 80% of CBI members have
stopped investing in their businesses. The political uncertainty
has damaged the UK’s credibility as a safe place for investment.
One of the large US investors now describes the UK as the “problem
child” of Europe. Against that backdrop, companies of all sizes are
finding it increasingly difficult to justify doing business
here...
(Birmingham, Erdington)
(Lab):...An investment that would have created 1,000 jobs
in Northern Ireland has been shelved, and 80% of CBI members have
stopped investing while the uncertainty continues. Inward
investment in the automotive sector has halved. Automotive
companies are planning shutdowns after 29 March. Businesses are
being told by their contractors to build up three months’-worth of
stock after that date, which is costing them a small fortune and
using up valuable storage space. As the National Farmers Union has
said, 90% of animal vaccines are imported, and in a no-deal
scenario it cannot guarantee that necessary vaccines will be
readily available...
Mr (Dumfries and Galloway)
(Con): The clock is ticking down, both in this debate
and towards 29 March, and it is imperative for the House to focus
on delivering a successful Brexit, which is successful for jobs,
trade and the economy. Despite what we might hear from the other
side of the House, I believe that we must deliver a successful
Brexit for Scotland. Despite all that we may hear, many
organisations in Scotland support the Prime Minister’s deal,
including the Federation of Small Businesses, the Scotch Whisky
Association, the National Farmers Union, Scotland, and the
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, and that is because they, like
business, want certainty...
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Extracts from Public
Bill committee consideration of the Immigration and Social
Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill
Witnesses:
James Porter, Horticulture Working Group Chairman, National
Farmers Union Scotland.
The Chair: Welcome, Mr Porter. I do not know if
you have appeared before a Committee before, but please enjoy the
session as the Committee members gather evidence. You will get
questions from non-Scottish Members as well. Will you introduce
yourself formally for the record?
James Porter: Ahoy, Mr Chairman, yonder! I am
James Porter. I farm on the east coast of Angus—a mixed farm of
beef cows, potatoes and cereals. We also have 100 acres of soft
fruit, which in the main season employs about 300 seasonal
workers. We have quite a large permanent staff to back that up. I
am also chair of the horticulture committee of the National
Farmers Union of Scotland and vice-chair of Ringlink Scotland...
: That was a
supplementary question to my other question, but my main question
is this. We heard on Tuesday repeated accusations from witnesses
that some short-term contracts—agriculture was mentioned
specifically—run the risk of being exploitative. Can you give us
some indication of the work that the National Farmers Union and
your members do to make sure that is not the case?
James Porter: All the fruit and veg farms that
supply supermarkets are Sedex registered and audited by the Sedex
members ethical trade audit, SMETA. That is a pretty rigorous
audit that looks at wages, accommodation, conditions and so on,
and it is recognised globally. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse
Authority also monitors very closely what is going on. You are
allowed to employ directly from the EU as a producer, but if you
use an agency, it has to be an accredited agency. If you are
discovered not to be using an accredited agency or not to be
complying with the requirements of the Scottish Agricultural
Wages Board, you will be de-listed from supermarkets immediately
and subject to the full force of the law.
We have quite a good track record from the last few years of not
exploiting our workers. It is generally the case across the
industry that most growers have a lot of returnees, and I think
that is a sign that the relationship is symbiotic. I am very
comfortable with where we are on that. I am happy to look at
other ways of improving that oversight if that is what is needed
to satisfy people.
I feel I ought to answer the earlier question about the 12-month
rule, because I have not answered it. I am afraid it does not
make any sense to me. I cannot think of any employment situation
where you would employ someone for 12 months, train them up, show
them the ropes and then they have to go away for 12 months...
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