A WORCESTERSHIRE MP is claiming victory in a long-running battle to help county farmers hire more seasonal labourers from eastern Europe.

Mid-Worcestershire’s Conservative MP Peter Luff has been campaigning for the past two years against Government plans to scale back the Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Scheme (SAWS), which offers temporary visas for eastern European students to pick fruit and vegetables during the British harvest.

The Government recently restricted the scheme to students from just two countries – the EU’s newest members, Bulgaria and Romania. Mr Luff has been fighting the change, which he said was causing a severe labour shortage on Worcstershire farms.

But immigration minister Phil Woolas has now announced that while the scheme will still be limited to those two countries, the number of places available will be increased by almost a quarter next year.

Mr Luff said: “I am absolutely delighted the Government has seen sense. SAWS has been vital for the horticultural industry in the UK. Although the scheme is now only limited to just two EU members I am very pleased that it has been extended in terms of the numbers of students permitted. I congratulate the immigration minister for arriving at this sensible decision.”

Mr Woolas told the House of Commons the number of Bulgarian and Romanian workers admitted under SAWS will be increased by 5,000 places next year to 21,250, as part of the Government’s plan “to gradually open access to our labour market” to the two new EU members.

NFU horticulture board chairman Richard Hirst said: “This increase in quota is good news and shows that ministers have listened to the evidence we submitted to them directly and via the migration advisory committee.

“It makes sense that British growers are able to supply the British fruit and vegetables in season, which consumers say they want, especially as food security is such a key issue.

“I understand the announcement means there will be an increase in the SAWS quota by 5,000 for 2009.

“While this is positive, in order to maintain business confidence, it is important that a long term view of seasonal labour needs is considered. We will be working with the Home Office and Defra to establish a strategy that ensures growers can plan the development of their businesses in the confidence that there will be sufficient seasonal labour in the future.”