Ukrainian farm recruits aid farming shortage here

HOW far do you have to go in these days for genuine farm workers with a deep interest in putting their skills to use and, at the same time, learning new ones?

About 1,600 miles away, in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine, is where a Co Wexford company has found these high calibre workers in abundance.

Farm Solutions Ltd have been bringing workers from the Czech Republic to some of Ireland’s top farms for the past two years, but this is their first time recruiting farmers from Ukraine. They have selected 25 to come to Ireland over the coming months via the work permit system, having interviewed 87 Ukrainian farmers.