Dairy Farms in Scotland Turn to Skilled Filipino Workers Amid Labour Shortages

On the slopes above Port William in Dumfries and Galloway herds of 1200 Holstein Jersey cross cows graze year round thanks to the mild climate shaped by the Gulf Stream. Dourie Farm run by brothers Rory and Gregor Christie exemplifies the region’s significance in Scottish dairy with a daily output of 30000 litres of milk destined for cheddar cheese production at the Stranraer creamery. Despite advances in mechanisation the sector remains reliant on human expertise as cows are still milked twice daily.

The rural beauty of Dumfries and Galloway belies a significant challenge for farmers the area’s isolated location has led to a shrinking workforce. Historically local employees filled all positions on these farms but recent years have seen a dramatic decline in homegrown applicants. According to Rory Christie the search for skilled UK staff became so fruitless that selling the entire herd was considered just three years ago.

Relief came from an unexpected source skilled workers from the Philippines arrived under the skilled worker visa scheme reshaping the fortunes of Dourie Farm. The Christies now employ several Filipino staff alongside a Hungarian colleague paying each an annual salary above £40000 and providing accommodation. Workers like Benjie Yap brought years of agricultural experience from both the Philippines and New Zealand and quickly became pivotal to the farm’s operations.

Word spread swiftly throughout Dumfries and Galloway as other farmers struggling to find reliable British staff turned to international recruitment. Estimates suggest dozens of Filipinos now support local dairy production across the region. Despite the cost and complexity of securing foreign staff farmers report remarkable improvements in both business performance and personal well being. Yap and others express deep satisfaction with their work although they make appreciable personal sacrifices to support families in the Philippines by sending home a significant portion of their wages.

This successful model has come under threat as recent government policy changes have removed ‘farmer’ and ‘agricultural contractor’ from the skilled worker visa list. Responding to broader migration targets and a drive to increase domestic employment the government imposed new requirements essentially excluding most medium skilled agricultural roles. Labour shortages exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic are now reaching crisis levels with an overwhelming majority of farmers unable to attract UK applicants according to surveys by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Rory Christie and his peers argue that foreign workers have become indispensable to the survival of dairy farming in southwest Scotland. The risk to local supply chains is immediate and real the Stranraer creamery one of the area’s biggest employers stands to lose vital raw milk if farmers cannot recruit. Regional farmers now intend to present their case to the Migration Advisory Committee later this year with a clear warning reduced access to skilled international labour directly jeopardises both food security and rural economies.