Farmers’ union ‘optimistic’ UK workers will rescue the harvest

As farms struggle under Covid-19, NFU says furloughed workers keen to join paid 'land army'

The leader of the UK's biggest farming organisation says she is optimistic that British workers will come forward to rescue the harvest and keep the nation fed, instead of having to rely on flying in overseas workers.

"A lot of signs are optimistic and we have really positive news," said Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers' Union. "We are hearing people are very keen [to work on farms]. There does seem to be a real swell of support from people to do this."