Farmers face shortage of seasonal workers
Farmers Far across the region could cou face a seasonal worker wo shortage this harvest har due to the corG coronavirus pandemic.
Girvan Early Growers, who wh grow the famous Ayrshire Ay new potatoes or ‘ earlies’ ea as they’re fondly dubbed, du are just one of many ma farming hubs who rely on extra hands to help get their pearls of the earth from fro soil to shelves. Girvan Early Ear Growers chairman Drew Dre Young said this year could cou be an impossible task tas as the GEG team have had to adapt the way they work wo per government guidelines. gu
Drew D said: “Farming in general, gen including GEG, has ha to continue trying to supply su the food required for the nation so we are having hav to keep things going go as best we can.
“As this is a peak time for crops cro to be planted it has been bee quite difficult to make ma sure all staff and partners par are kept safe.
“Workers are within their the own space driving tractors, tra but have been advised to keep apart when travelling to and from work and not congregate for lunch breaks.
“We could be short staffed going into harvest as normally we need extra seasonal staff who over the last number of years have come from Eastern Europe so this could be impossible.
“We would think our produce in general should move through normal channels to the major retailers as we hope the public will still buy potatoes and carrots.
Last summer Ayrshire Earlies were awarded prestigious Protected Geographical Indication ( PGI) status and can be specifically marketed as such as of next month.
Drew, from Girvan Mains, was one of the main drivers behind the push for protected status, which now sees Ayrshire Earlies’ join 15 other food varieties with PGI status in Scotland, including Stornoway Black Pudding, Scotch whisky and Scottish salmon.
Drew said: “The PGI status gained for Ayrshire Earlies will help the consumer feel confident that what they are buying is the genuine article grown in the county and produced to a high standard with good eating quality.
Thankfully COVID- 19 won’t affect the PGI status of these special spuds, which thrive along the Ayrshire coast due to it’s unique climate and sandy soil growing conditions.
Tattie grower Drew added that buying local produce was not only important for businesses but a reduction on buying imported goods was kinder to the planet.
He added: “Always buy British if possible. It is also helping global warming.
“If anything the last few weeks has proven that food security in this country as an Island should