Scottish Minister of Agriculture Fergus Ewing said Brexit poses a serious threat to fish processing, as the loss of labor from the EU would jeopardize the future of the industry.

The minister noted that the lack of workers caused by restrictions on freedom of movement after Brexit would make fish and other Scottish food products vulnerable due to cheaper imports.

Fergus Ewing said this in an appeal to workers in the fishing and agricultural sectors from EU countries, noting that the Scottish government will do everything possible to help workers stay, despite the uncertainty regarding Brexit.

Fish processing currently provides 3,800 jobs in Grampian, an administrative district of Scotland, and 58% of the workforce is in the EU. Up to 10,000 EU citizens are involved in food and beverage production, while up to 10,000 non-seasonal and seasonal migrant workers work in the soft fruit and vegetable sector.

More than 4,500 EU citizens work in the Scottish fishing industry, and 21,000 people work in Scottish tourism, which is 11.6% of all jobs in this sector. The minister added that Scotland appreciates EU workers and the country is still “open for business” for those who plan to come here.

At the same time, the representative of the UK government said that his future immigration system would attract talented workers: “There will be no limit on the number of skilled workers who can come to the UK. The temporary worker route is open to all skill levels and will ensure that British employers have the staff they need, including seasonal workers. ”