A CODE of practice aimed at stamping out exploitation of casual and seasonal labour has been launched by farmers' chiefs.

The National Farmers' Union has joined forces with the Government in a bid to stamp out gangmasters who exploit workers.

Lancashire NFU chairman Peter Stott, of Clark House Farm, Chipping, said his organisation had worked for a year on the initiative with the Fresh Produce Consortium.

The code, which has the backing of the Transport and General Workers' Union and the British Retail Consortium, outlines to farmers and producers their legal responsibilities.

"There is a mass of legislation for any employer using seasonal or casual labour to work through and we hope the code will help them do this effectively," Mr Stott said.

"The vast majority of labour is employed with strict adherence to the law.

"With this code we aim to eliminate a minority who blemish this image.

"We also strongly support the Government in its efforts to achieve the same objectives," he said.

The code includes issues relating to the Agricultural Wages Order, agency and contract workers, tax, national insurance and benefit claimants.

Further details available from the NFU's North West office on 01695 554900.

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