'Difficult' to weed lavender farm after Brexit

A lavender farmer said it had been "a bit touch and go" to weed crops in time for peak visitor season since new visa rules were introduced after Brexit.

Lorna Maye, owner of Mayfield Lavender Farm in Banstead, Surrey, said finding workers had been tricky since the UK left the EU and sponsoring visas was expensive.

People from the EU, except Irish citizens, have needed visas to work in the UK since the post-Brexit immigration system came into force in January 2021, and EU immigration has decreased since freedom of movement ended.

The government said it was "exploring options to support the sector".

Ms Maye said her farm, which was established in 2006 and is open to visitors, grew its lavender organically so relied on workers to manually weed its crops.

"We weed 140,000 plants by hand so that it's beautifully manicured, so that people do want to visit a lavender farm," the farmer told BBC Radio Surrey.

"Since Brexit, getting workers to come in has been quite difficult because of the visas that have been required now to bring people in."

Ms Maye added that sponsoring visas was "hugely expensive" and there "aren't as many workers that want to come over".

The application fee for a seasonal worker visa is £319.

She said: "It's always a bit touch and go whether we manage to get everything weeded in time for the season starting."

Prior to the 2024 general election, the government extended its seasonal worker visa scheme until 2029.

"This will allow farmers to plan and grow their businesses with the confidence they will have the labour they need to harvest their great British produce," a spokesperson said.

They added it "isn't a long-term solution" and "businesses will need to adapt".

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.