Without access to migrant labour approximately 60% of farms surveyed in new research will either switch to other agricultural activities, cease production or downsize the business.

Interim findings from Scottish government-funded research into seasonal migrant workers were presented to the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on rural policy on Tuesday night.

“Over half of the businesses surveyed said they will not focus on agricultural activities without access to migrant labour, so we know it is integral to the industry,” said Stephen Thomson of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), which conducted the research. “This may impact just a few agricultural businesses but it is a big component of agricultural output and also presents a problem in food processing.”

The findings have yet to be aggregated for the whole of Scotland and be approved by government. However, they do show that nearly 80% of farm staff come from Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. Just 2% come from Scotland and 3% from the rest of the UK.

Character profiles of migrant farm labourers show that the majority have had agricultural experience in their own country and are well educated. Regardless of Brexit, the majority aspire to return home. However it is affecting the value of their salary and making them feel unwelcome in wider society.

“The primary motivation for workers coming to Scotland is pay, even after paying living expenses,” said Rob McMorran from SRUC. “Often they leave children behind in their home country so their level of motivation is much higher than a Scottish person coming off the dole.”

Replacing migrant seasonal workers with Scottish or UK people is not necessarily the answer, as farmers often find that more skilled workers can be found abroad.

“We left £30,000 to £50,000 worth of broccoli in the field this year, as we didn’t have the labour to pick it,” said Cupar-based farmer James Orr, who is a member of the East of Scotland Growers Co-Op, a group that accounts for 20% to 25% of the UK’s broccoli requirements. “As an industry, we need the UK and Scottish Governments to introduce a seasonal worker scheme.”

Farmers at the meeting made the point that abattoirs also rely heavily on skilled labour from overseas; it is estimated that almost 50% of abattoir staff are from the EU.