On Thursday 6 September, the UK Government Home Secretary and Environment Secretary announced a nationwide pilot scheme to bring seasonal migrant workers to farms throughout the UK, including Scotland.
The scheme will apply to workers from outside the EU only and will allow UK fruit and vegetable farmers to employ migrant workers for seasonal work for up to six months during peak production periods. The scheme will initially allow 2500 workers to come to the UK each year to help reduce labour shortages.
Producers of goods including soft fruit, much of which is grown in Scotland and particularly in Tayside and Fife, have commented that the industry currently employs 60,000 EU seasonal staff annually and already has a 10 - 20% shortage of labourers. It is therefore possible that the pilot scheme to allow seasonal workers into the UK after Brexit will still leave farmers short of staff.
The pilot, commencing in spring 2019 and running until the end of December 2020, will be administered by two scheme operator organisations, who will oversee the placement of workers around the UK. Further details of the scheme are still to be announced.
Since talk of leaving the EU began, farmers have raised great concerns about the potential impact on the agricultural industry. At present, an estimated 90% of British fruit, salad and vegetables are picked and packed by migrant workers from both within and outside the EU. Soft fruit production in the UK has grown by 130% in the last 20 years, particularly in Scotland, and that growth is set to continue. However, there are no universally available mechanical harvesting solutions for soft fruit and so maintaining access to seasonal labour is essential to allow production to continue at current levels.
For further information and advice, please contact a member of the Land and Rural Business Team.
