The Prime Minister of the UK has personally congratulated Cornish MPs on their efforts to get Cornwall daffodil growers included in a seasonal workers scheme. Boris Johnson has written to the six Cornish MPs, who are all Conservatives, endorsing both the Cornish daffodil growing industry and their own efforts to support it by lobbying for its inclusion in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.
The news comes as the Home Office and DEFRA have confirmed that the Seasonal Worker visa route, which allows foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months to work in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, will be extended until the end of 2024.
Crucially, the scheme has also been extended to ornamental horticulture to support our distinguished flower growers in the UK, such as Cornwall’s daffodil growers. St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament Steve Double has been working with the Government to make the case for the changes.
Commenting, Steve said: “Cornwall is the biggest supplier of daffodils in the world and this industry is an important part of our local economy. That is why I have been working with our local farmers and their representatives to make the case to the Government for some time. I am pleased to see them listen and put these changes in place ahead of the approaching picking season.
Read the complete article at www.cornish-times.co.uk.