The government is due to allow more foreign butchers in to prevent mass slaughter, Sky News has reported.
According to media reports, the government will announce a package of measures which includes dropping requirements to speak English fluently. This is so that the UK can allow more trained butchers to come to Britain on temporary visas.
Sky News said: “The move follows a meeting on Monday between farmers, processors and the government’s recently appointed supply chain advisor Sir Dave Lewis.”
The National Pig Association (NPA), which represents the majority of farmers affected, said it was “quietly optimistic” and that the requirement for butchers to speak English was “the final blocker”.
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: “It is not wages because they are over the £25,000 threshold. It is coming down now to the English level requirement and the bureaucracy of the process in terms of applying for these visas.”
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