This week NFU Scotland’s Horticulture Working Group chair, James Porter, gave evidence on the UK government’s Immigration and Social Security Coordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill.

Porter set out the four key labour migration requirements for the Scottish food sector.

1. UK government must scale up the quota of seasonal non-EU nationals. Currently the scheme will allow 2,500 non-EU nationals to take up posts while freedom of movement is still in operation during the Brexit transition. However, based on projected shortages within the industry, it is understood that 10,000 non-EU nationals will be needed within the sector in 2019.

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2. The UK government must clarify the status of EU nationals in the event of a no-deal Brexit. In which case EU nationals may still be able to come to the UK for a three-month period and then will need to apply for an extension of up to three years.

3. The UK government’s proposed new immigration system is unworkable. The plan to allow low-skilled workers to come to the UK to take up posts for up to one year, immediately followed by a 12-month ‘cooling off’ period needs to be changed for long-term options.

4. The Union disagrees with the UK government’s proposal that migrants have to earn a minimum of £30,000/annum to work here.

The bill will repeal free movement after the UK leaves the EU and will set up the framework upon which the UK government will create a new immigration policy after EU exit.