Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the sectors regulated by the GLAA.

If you supply workers for any agricultural work, including the activities listed below you will need a GLAA licence.

Harvesting, gathering or picking of agricultural produce
Packing and grading of eggs or other produce on the farm where the eggs were produced
Care of and attention to poultry in batteries or other housed poultry
Drawing and plucking poultry for first sale, on the premises where the birds were reared
Pheasant breeding, if the land on which they are reared contributes to their upkeep and if they are reared to be eaten or sold as food, but not for shooting
Care of and attention to bulls kept and used in connection with artificial insemination
Employment in the gardens of a hotel, school, convent, hospital or any other institution growing food wholly or mainly for outside sale or for consumption on the premises
Grass drying where it involves the employer’s own grass
Agricultural mechanics where they are employed by the farmer rather than by a third party or by a contractor
Secretarial / administrative duties which are integral to the production process, such as the maintenance of milk yield records, ordering feed or fertilisers.

Still not sure whether you need a licence?

We recommend your enquiry is sent by e-mail so you have a record of our response. Please provide full details of the type of work, where it will be done and if possible a job description of the role.

Offences and penalties

It is a criminal offence to operate as a gangmaster without a licence. The maximum penalty is ten years in prison and a fine. For more information read our pages on the Criminal offences and sanctions and the penalties in How we inspect and prosecute.

Find out more...

I supply workers: The application and renewal process
The licensing standards: The conditions that must be met to qualify for a licence
Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004: Legislation
Exclusions: The circumstances where a licence is not required

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