Exemption granted for industry’s Christmas food heroes

The British Poultry Council welcomes Government’s decision after seeking an exemption for industry’s Christmas food heroes travelling to the UK from quarantine restrictions.

Non-UK seasonal poultry workers arriving to carry out vital work on farms ahead of Christmas will be exempt from quarantine restrictions to ensure Christmas supply does not collapse. Those travelling from non-exempt countries will have to isolate on the farm they are working on for 14 days, but will still be able to work during the quarantine period to ensure that industry can deliver a fantastic Christmas to households across the nation.

British Poultry Council, Chief Executive, Richard Griffiths, said:

“The seasonal turkey industry looks to bring in around 1000 workers and we are hopeful that this exemption will be helpful. Industry is determined to deliver the Great British Christmas to households across the nation. If the exemption helps us deliver a fantastic Christmas and helps our smaller seasonal producers out, then it can only be a good thing!”

Read our statement seeking exemption here.

You can read British Poultry Council’s latest evidence written in response to the EFRA select committee’s enquiry on access to non-UK seasonal labour below.