Horticultural Sector Committee: inquiry to hear evidence on the experiences of seasonal workers

• Emiliano Mellino, Journalist, Bureau of Investigative Journalism
• Vadim Sardov, Former seasonal worker
• Andre Okhrimenko, Former seasonal worker
• Sybil Msezane, Former seasonal worker.

At 11.30am the committee will hear from:

• Annabelle Padwick, Founder, Life at No. 27
• Professor David Rose, Independent Professor
• Dave Solly, National Lead for Natural Environment, National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP).

These evidence sessions, which are open to the public, will be held in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords and streamed live on Parliament TV.

Topics likely to be covered in these sessions include:

• The experience of seasonal workers in the horticulture sector.
• Value and respect given to seasonal workers by farm owners and the general public.
• The seasonal worker recruitment process.
• Accommodation provided to seasonal workers.
• The role of horticulture in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
• The value and effectiveness of social prescribing for different groups.
• Mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by growers in the horticulture sector.

More about this inquiry 

The cross-party Horticultural Sector Committee is considering the challenges, opportunities and risks faced by the horticultural sector, including the impact of rising input costs and labour and skills shortages, and how innovative technologies might address these issues and other pressing challenges such as the impact of climate change on productivity and food supply. In addition, it will explore how policy can support the sector in meeting the Government’s ambitions for levelling up and post-Brexit trade policy. It will publish its report by the end of this year.