Growers fear quarantine rules will put pickers off

CORONAVIRUS: New 14-day isolation proposal could make thousands of overseas workers change their minds about travelling to Scottish farmlands

Scotland’s soft fruit growers fear the UK Government’s plans to impose a quarantine of up to 14 days on air passengers could make thousands of pickers change their minds about travelling here to work.

Commercial flights are still flying into the UK from Bulgaria and many thousands of pickers are scheduled to arrive in Scotland by the middle of June from both Bulgaria and Romania, but Carnoustie grower James Porter, of East Scryne farm, says he is worried a 14-day quarantine before they can start work is likely to put them off making the trip.

“Most growers are hoping to get our usual workers by the middle of June, and we don’t know the detail of the UK Government’s plan yet, but it certainly wouldn’t help us if they go ahead with a 14-day quarantine,” he said.

“There’s a good chance that workers would be asked to have another 14-day quarantine when they go back home, so if they’re just here to work for two months, two weeks in a caravan is a big ask.”

Mr Porter, who is chairman of NFU Scotland’s horticulture committee, has written to the UK Government on behalf of the industry calling for clarification on the measures they are planning to take and setting out his concerns.

He said the industry already had plans in place for a seven-day quarantine period followed by one week of segregation from other staff, a proposal it has now shared with government.

Mr Porter said another option being suggested by growers was to test workers when they arrive, but it was currently unclear if tests would be available for this purpose.

A spokesperson for Defra confirmed further detail on quarantine arrangements would be forthcoming shortly.

Meanwhile Mr Porter said most Scottish fruit farms are now employing a local workforce in addition to foreign labour.

“They are working away and doing their best on our farm, mainly doing crop husbandry rather than picking, but their output is not the same as that of experienced workers, so productivity is down,” he said.

“Some will get up to speed, but they’re not used to physical work.”

Among the labour force at East Scryne are an accountant, a lawyer, a bouncer and offshore workers.

Picture: Kim Cessford Most Scottish fruit growers hope to get their usual seasonal workers by the middle of June.