GROWERS have been overwhelmed with UK applications for seasonal farm work with many EU workers in lockdown overseas due to coronavirus.

Some farmers elsewhere in the UK have even chartered flights to bring in farm workers from the EU.

Andrew Hartley, one of the directors at Red Star Growers, said the response to the advert for seasonal work had been ‘unprecedented’. The company based in Birlingham, Pershore, has had an excess of 700 applications for seasonal work. “As a company we have advertised and been overwhelmed by the response which has been excellent and we welcome anyone to apply but the work is very challenging,” he said.

The growers produce salad onions, courgettes, various types of beans, bunched beetroot, broccoli, sprouts, asparagus and carrots. Many workers during the peak summer season come from EU countries, including Romania.

In summer around 200 of his workers come from the EU and only 10 from the UK, many returning every season to work. Some have been coming back to work on the 1,700 acre horticultural farm for 15 years or more.

If EU workers come to work then all the roles can be filled without having to rely on British workers. He says foreign workers have provided a reliable workforce, praising their passion and motivation. “They’re all return workers” said Mr Hartley.

The peak of the season is expected to arrive within the next four weeks. They have about 70 EU nationals working there at the moment but more are expected to arrive when lockdown is lifted.

Meanwhile, Siamo Group advertised for farm and field workers at a farm near Worcester, offering to pay them between £8.72 and £12 per hour for a 12 week period starting at the beginning of June.

The day would start at 6am and be for eight hours a day, Monday to Friday with some work on Saturday mornings.