FRUIT FARMERS in Tayside are bracing themselves for problems in attracting sufficient numbers of pickers during the summer.

Picking has yet to begin at Broadslap Fruit Farm, Dunning, but farmer John Kirk is already experiencing problems.

“We are having a problem getting pickers for early June,” he said. “At the moment we are short of pickers for the first and second week before the university students are available.”

Mr Kirk believed a number of factors are behind the dearth, including the government seasonal agricultural workers’ scheme which has cut the number of temporary work visas available.

This, plus the weakness of the pound against the euro, has made coming to Scotland less lucrative for eastern European workers.

“They are a lot less interested because the euro is so much stronger, it is not such a big incentive,” said Mr Kirk.

He feels the major problems will be felt at the beginning and at the end of the season but he said they were determined to ensure the fruit is lifted.

Arbroath fruit farmers said yesterday that they are “nervous” about having enough workers.

Mr Lochy Porter, of Angus Soft Fruits, said cuts in the temporary work visas were putting pressure on the industry.

But he added that if promised numbers do materialise, then hopefully there would be enough staff to cover the season.

“It won’t become a problem until the picking season gets under way in about four weeks or so, but farmers are nervous,” he said.

“If the agencies can supply the numbers they are promising us then hopefully that will help, but we know that not all of them will turn up.”

Mr Porter said local people were “welcome to come and pick” but was realistic about prospects of that easing the problem.

Mr Gary Bruce, farm manager for P. J. Stirling at Windyhills, said, “The workers play an important role because we can’t get Scots to do the work.”