NFU Scotland has criticised the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) review into the shortage occupation list (SOL), as offering “no practical solutions” to the industry’s future access to labour.

Agricultural, haulage and food-chain jobs are all short of UK and non-UK applicants, according to NFUS, which says that the recent report “offers no solution and ignores that there is market failure”.

The committee seems to think that the UK is different and that our industry is immune to real-world pressures

Despite highlighting concern at meetings with Home Office officials and the Home Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, the Union thinks the MAC report’s exclusion of essential agricultural roles is “misguided and a misrepresentation of the strong need within the industry for a non-UK workforce”.

“That is hugely frustrating and disappointing. All advanced economies are faced with similar issues and allow migration to fill such jobs.

“The committee seems to think that the UK is different and that our industry is immune to real-world pressures, including competition from other countries,” said NFU president Andrew McCornick.

“MAC notes that the Government white paper refers to circumstances where there should be flexibility to allow migration at lower salary levels, but it has not made any recommendation to reduce the £30,000 minimum.

“And although the report has a section on lower-skilled workers, it makes no recommendations in relation to them.”