Soft fruit grower appeals for seasonal workforce

Carnoustie firm wants to see permits for up to 20,000

Carnoustie soft fruit grower James Porter has appealed for a UK Seasonal Workers Scheme with work permits for up to 20,000 workers from outwith the EU to be put in place for the 2018 season.

Speaking after a meeting with Professor Alan Manning, chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), and other stakeholders, Mr Porter said that there had been a shortage of between 10-20% of seasonal workers coming from the EU this year, partly because of exchange rates, but also because of increasing affluence in other parts of the EU.

“This will get worse year on year,” he said.

“For a major soft fruit area like Angus, the importance of seasonal workers cannot be underestimated.

“There are only 1,400 long term unemployed in Angus, yet Angus Soft Fruits – the group that I supply with soft fruit – needs a seasonal workforce of 4,000 to pick crops.

“With the massive growth that we have seen in our soft fruit and veg sectors in Scotland, it is simply impossible for that labour to be sourced locally.

“From these seasonal workers, we also need to continue to be able to employ around 5% on a permanent basis, as managerial staff because of their experience in the work and their ability to communicate with the seasonal workforce.

“Other sectors of agriculture and our food and drink sector also require permanent employees.

“Any new measures put in place for employing non-UK labour must deliver on this.”

Mr Porter, who is chairman of NFU Scotland’s horticulture committee, also pointed out that Scottish agriculture’s total labour needs would have next to no impact on the UK’s net immigration figures as most seasonal workers would return home.

He added: “And there would be fiscal benefits to the UK treasury in continuing to allow seasonal staff.

“Between a seasonal worker and their employer, National Insurance contributions amount to around £2,000 over six months.

“The NI contributions currently generated by seasonal workers across the UK amounts to £160 million for a temporary workforce that is generally young, fit and healthy.”

The MAC is focusing on the impact of Brexit on the UK labour market.

Angus Soft Fruits needs a seasonal workforce of 4,000, such as Jianu Elena Madacily, to pick crops.