Farmers and the food sector are raising serious concerns over UK Government proposals on migration post-Brexit. The Government plans to bring in a points-based system for migrant workers from 2021 once the UK is out of transition period of Brexit and free movement of people ends.

The new rules will make it harder for thousands of people to come to the UK to work in the food and farming sectors which heavily rely on migrant labour to function.

The Government proposes the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) will be expanded to 10,000 places, but that still falls woefully short of the 70,000 seasonal workers required by farms across the UK.

Automation will have a vital role to play and we fully support investment in this area

NFU president Minette Batters said: “We have said repeatedly that for farm businesses it is about having the full range of skills needed – from pickers and packers to meat processors and vets – if we are to continue to deliver high-quality, affordable food for the public. Failure to provide an entry route for these jobs will severely impact the farming sector.

“Automation will have a vital role to play and we fully support investment in this area, but it is not yet a viable option to replace the number of people we need. There are also some jobs that simply cannot be replaced by technology.

“It is ironic that the Government on the one hand is encouraging more people to increase the amount of fruit and veg in diets, yet on the other hand making it harder for that fruit and veg to be produced in Britain.”

NFU Scotland has always maintained that a UK-wide approach to immigration would be preferable

NFU Scotland is looking to work with the Scottish Government to create Scottish working visas to continue the supply of migrant labour north of the border.

NFUS president Andrew McCornick said: “NFU Scotland has always maintained that a UK-wide approach to immigration would be preferable. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the UK Government has disregarded the strong and consistent evidence of NFU Scotland and other businesses in the UK food and drink supply chain about the type of