SCOTTISH SEAFOOD SECTOR CALLS FOR FLEXIBLE AND PRAGMATIC VISA POLICY

Scottish seafood sector calls for flexible and pragmatic visa policy

It is vital that the next UK Government elected on 4 July adopts a flexible visa immigration policy to ensure the Scottish seafood processing sector – as well as the wider food industry – can secure easily accessible labour to ensure growth.

This is the view of Jimmy Buchan, CEO of the Scottish Seafood Association, who told Fish Focus that the Scottish seafood processing sector is in a state of hiatus because companies cannot source essential employees.

He says the Home Office in the current Government is fixated about reducing immigration, without looking at the broader picture of what is most productive for the wider UK economy, particularly in areas like Scotland where there is an acute shortage of labour in many parts.

He said: “The current Government is rigorously committed to its policy that companies should only employ local people without recognising the reality of the situation that in many areas of the country – including Scottish coastal communities – there is simply not the labour available locally. This is seriously constraining growth in the Scottish seafood industry, as well as other parts of the food industry.”

Mr Buchan pointed out that a recent invitation to the Scottish fishing and seafood industry from Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to attend an event in Downing Street to highlight the importance of national food security failed to recognise that accessing employment was an essential element to ensuring that aim.

“It was apparent there was no joined-up thinking in Government, with the Home Office looking to curb labour supply from abroad, while the Food and Rural Affairs department is intent on enhancing and developing the food sector, which can only be achieved through increasing the available employee supply,” he said

“To ensure national food security we need people to help process that food. This is about having controlled and flexible immigration where there is a pool of labour abroad keen to work here, and where there is a food sector desperate for their services. A flexible visa system would deliver tangible benefits to both the UK economy and our national food security.

“Over the coming weeks during the General Election campaign we will be looking closely at what the various political parties are proposing in terms of supporting the Scottish seafood sector and we will be lobbying hard to ensure our voice is heard.”