New fears of recruitment crisis in Scots fruit-picking industry over migrant worker visa delays

The committee heard from the operators of the UK Government's pilot scheme for seasonal workers, Pro-Force and Concordia, who said recruitment of the 2,500 workers for the scheme was going well but there were problems with support from embassies and Home Office processing times.

The witnesses said that while the Home Office has pledged a three-week turnaround for visas, some were taking more than 30 days.

Concordia chief executive Stephanie Maurel said this had already resulted in them falling behind with orders, with farms not receiving workers on the dates expected.

It has led to fresh concerns for the £100-million-a-year industry which last year faced a chronic shortage of workers with figures revealing that just one in 400 seasonal workers in the Scottish industry is British.

Scottish farms employ up to 10,000 non-UK nationals in seasonal positions in the soft fruit and vegetable sectors each year.

Growers have been forced to fly as far as Moldova to try and recruit staff by offering free flights.

In an evidence session with the operators of the Government’s seasonal agricultural workers pilot scheme held on Tuesday, the Scottish Affairs Committee heard that there was a risk that Scottish agricultural produce might be left to rot as workers from Ukraine and Moldova face heavily delayed visa processing.

The operators of the scheme stated that the delay was partially due to workers finding it difficult to book appointments at the UK visa offices, with the visa office in Moldova only open two days a week.

READ MORE: Recruitment crisis in Scots fruit-picking industry as one in 400 seasonal workers is British

In a letter to the Home Office and FCO, Mr Wishart, the chairman of the committee has pressed for detail on what steps are being taken to speed up visa applications and whether any additional resources are being allocated to resolve the issue.

The letter also expresses concern about the up-front costs of the visa and administration, which could be acting as a deterrent to some workers.

Visa and administration costs were also said to be an issue, with the Moldovan office charging a total of 401 euro (£347) - 67 euro (£58) for the first appointment day, 90 euro (£78) for the second and 244 euro (£211) for the visa.

Matthew Jarrett, Pro-Force director, warned that if these delays were not addressed, some workers would miss the growing season altogether.

Farmers in Angus, Perthshire and Fife that is the home of Scotland's fruit-picking industry believe that perceived difficulties with the British benefits system and job centres helps make the prospect of seasonal work less appealing.

Angus Growers. a group of 18 producers, have previously said that without any interest from British workers, farms had to recruit from outside the EU to cope.

In his letter, Mr Wishart says: "It would be helpful to the Committee's work if you could outline the support the Government is providing Pro-Force and Concordia, what steps are being taken to speed up the visa applications and whether any additional resources are being allocated to resolve this issue."

Mr Wishart said: "The Government's pilot scheme was intended to alleviate labour shortages during peak production periods, but if these visa delays continue there is a risk that Scottish farmers will be left high and dry without any support during harvesting season.

READ MORE: Shortage of seasonal migrant workers revealed

"My committee was told there is a risk that workers simply won't be on the ground in time - for example in my constituency upwards of 40 workers are needed from next week to pick strawberries and we were told in no uncertain terms that they will not be there in time.

"The Government needs to do everything it can to support the pilot scheme and ensure that Scottish farmers do not have to face rotting produce because of bureaucratic delays."

A Home Office spokesman said: "It is incorrect to claim that there have been any delays to processing these visas.

"Since the launch of the Seasonal Worker Scheme, UKVI has decided all such applications within our customer service standards."