The failure to come up with an immigration scheme for crucial temporary staff is “disgraceful”, says Nicola Sturgeon.
About 7,000 seasonal agricultural workers were based in Tayside and Fife last year, according to a Scotland’s Rural College study.
Last week’s report warned of farm closures if their decline in numbers is not addressed.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Graeme Dey, an Angus MSP, tore into Environment Secretary Michael Gove for not coming up with a seasonal migrant labour scheme for soft fruit farms, despite promising details by the end of March.
Responding, Ms Sturgeon said: “We have no more clarity today than we did on referendum day or on the day Article 50 was triggered.
“That is disgraceful and it matters to people the length and breadth of this country.”
Earlier this week, the Scottish Conservative MP Kirstene Hair, who represents Angus, demanded the Home Secretary comes up with a plan within weeks to stop fruit “rotting in the fields”.
Amber Rudd agreed it is a matter of urgency and promised an announcement would be made “shortly”.
‘Disgraceful’ lack of clarity on seasonal worker scheme, says Nicola Sturgeon
