The UK Government is preparing to launch a Land Army-style “Pick for Britain” campaign to prevent crops rotting in fields, The Telegraph understands, after ministers were urged by farmers to consider deploying Army reservists.
A nationwide initiative is expected to be launched within weeks to encourage anyone from university students to laid off hospitality workers to pick fruit and vegetables in the “national interest”.
The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is also believed to be discussing with the Department for Work and Pensions the possibility of directing job seekers towards seasonal work.