> Farmers are insistent that low wages are not the reason that meat processing plants are struggling to fill their vacancies. “We are still being represented as

> Farmers are insistent that low wages are not the reason that meat processing plants are struggling to fill their vacancies. “We are still being represented as a low-pay industry, and we need to put the record straight,” said Tom Bradshaw, vice-president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), adding that meat processing plants are offering wages of up to £18 an hour, but are still unable to attract enough workers. "Up to £18". That'll be for an experienced, skilled butcher. Starting wage for a factory hand, probably more like £6.