In fact, as far as plants are concerned, the consequence is the rationalization of the product line. There are products that are no longer processed, because that requires more labour.
A little later, Ms. Leblond will explain what is happening in terms of slaughter.
In some plants, products are not produced and others are delivered late. As was mentioned earlier in connection with the houses, the supply times are also much longer, so the plants have to review their entire production schedule. When there are fewer workers, office workers have to step up to the plate.
In the agri-food sector, plants are often family businesses. The owners' sisters, aunts, mothers and uncles have to work in the plant to help out. Often, the owner works at the plant from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and does his office work in the evening or morning. So the work hours are long and the employees are tired.
I will give you an example. Last year, workers in a vegetable processing plant worked 12 days in a row; the employer had to give them a weekend off. However, if foreign workers had been present, the plant workers could have had a rest.
Hiring foreign workers serves as a safety valve for the plant workers and ensures health and safety in the workplace. It also makes it possible to feed the population adequately and to build up stocks for the next winter.