Macra has key horticulture role

HORTICULTURE employs an astonishing 9,900 in Ireland, and Macra plays an important role in satisfying the needs of this labour intensive business, through the organisation’s involvement in the Seasonal Horticultural Workers Scheme.

In 2002, horticulture was valued at 406 million at farmgate level; but this is threatened by serious labour shortages, which arose in recent years due to Ireland’s strong economic growth.

Workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) have come to the rescue, operating through the Department’s of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Work Permit scheme.