The Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has announced plans that would see forestry businesses exempt from the requirement to hold a Gangmaster Licence. This is likely to require the legislation to be changed and we have not yet been given any indication of the timeframes being considered. This has the potential to get protracted and is unlikely to be completed in the near future.

FCA has been in discussion with the GLA in an attempt to clarify how our members will be affected in the interim period. They have agreed to discuss this with DEFRA and expect to be in a position to provide such guidance soon. 

This most welcome of changes is part of the government's so-called 'red tape challenge' to reduce regulations and inspections.

The GLA will no longer regulate "low-risk sectors", including forestry and apprenticeships, allowing them to focus on the gross abuse of workers by unscrupulous gangmasters committing multiple offences such as tax evasion, human trafficking, health and safety negligence and other serious crimes.

Read the ministerial statement.