The NFU warned that the continuing inability to resolve the labor crisis in agriculture and horticulture "has devastating consequences."

Ali Kapper, chairman of the board of directors of the NFI for gardening and potato growing, comments on the situation as follows: “The current situation with Brexit is deeply disappointing for many manufacturers who are trying to break the current Brexit impasse. We want to know how we can solve the ongoing shortage of seasonal workers. ”

“It has a devastating effect. This sector saw an unprecedented amount of waste this year on farms across the country: 16 million apples were not collected; 87 thousand pallets with raspberries not collected; 63 thousand baskets of blueberries are not collected; 5.5 thousand packs of French beans remained in the fields; 50 tons of strawberries not harvested; 25 tons of blueberries not harvested; 25 tons of cherries are not collected. "

This letter came as a new report from the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population, which previously stated that agriculture should not rely on cheap labor for migrants, recognizing that immigration programs are a “quick and reliable” way to increase labor in Scotland.

Andrew Feicney, Managing Director of the Scottish Vegetable Cooperative ESG, told reporters last week that labor safety has now become the most pressing issue for its 16 members.

“We urge the government to be more active and commit to increase the pilot system of seasonal agricultural workers this year to more than 2.5 thousand,” he said.