Farmers across the South West concerned as travel restrictions and staff shortages threaten industry
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As the country goes into lockdown, key workers such as farmers are carrying on to keep people fed but are worried about what the future holds.
Chris Cardell a dairy farmer from Grampound, near Truro, anticipates problems in the industry caused by travel restrictions and staff shortages. He also says the industry is moving toward the home market rather than the food service industry.
This comes after pubs, bars, restaurants were forced to close down by the government.
Mr Cardell said that crop growers will be the most vulnerable if staffing now becomes a concern, but these issues may be resolved if people in other industries who may have been laid off pick up the slack and fill the gap.
Mr Cardell is the chairman of the National Farmers Union tenants’ forum which has 4,000 members in Devon and Cornwall.
The union has seen increased demand for milk and dairy productions but no other change in production.
Mr Cardell said any farmer who has tried to diversify with holiday lets, kennels like he has or anything else, will see that side of the business wiped out.