Foreign staff have ‘changed our lives’: Scottish farmers fear for future after changes to skilled worker visas

Farmers in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, have relied heavily on foreign workers, particularly from the Philippines, to sustain their dairy operations amid a shortage of skilled local labor. Rory Christie of Dourie Farm struggled to find workers for years and nearly considered selling his herd before successfully recruiting Filipino staff on skilled worker visas in early 2023. This influx of foreign labor has been described as "life-changing," allowing the farm to maintain its large herd of 1,200 cows and continue producing significant quantities of milk for local cheese production. Other farmers in the region have followed suit, employing several dozen foreign workers, including Hungarians, to address similar staffing challenges. However, recent government changes removing farmers and agricultural contractors from the skilled worker visa list threaten this vital labor supply. The farmers fear these visa restrictions could jeopardize their businesses and the local dairy industry, which depends on foreign workers to fill roles that remain unfilled by domestic labor.