Dourie Farm, located above Port William in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, houses a herd of 1,200 Holstein-Jersey cross cows. This farm, owned by brothers Rory and Gregor Christie, benefits from the region’s mild, moist climate, which supports year-round grazing. The farm produces approximately 30,000 liters of milk daily, which is processed into cheddar cheese by the Lactalis creamery in Stranraer.
Despite advancements in mechanization since its establishment in the 1950s, milk production remains labor-intensive. The Christies milk their cows twice daily. However, they face challenges in staffing. Rory Christie has reported difficulties in finding skilled labor, leading to a point where he considered selling the herd. In response, he initiated the process to employ foreign workers from the Philippines due to a lack of local candidates.
Since early 2023, the farm has employed Filipinos, including Benjie Yap, significantly impacting operations. Other farmers in the area have followed suit, employing foreign workers to address the ongoing labor shortages exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic. This shift has been met with concern as the UK government has recently removed agricultural roles from the skilled worker visa list. As a result, new entrants must have degree-level qualifications, while farm work is classified as medium-skilled.
In a recent survey, 84% of farmers reported receiving few to no applications from qualified UK candidates for job positions. The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has noted that many farmers rely on foreign labor because of the limited interest from local candidates. Concerns are growing among farmers about the potential impact on food security and domestic milk supply if visa regulations remain unchanged. The Christies and other local farmers plan to present their case to the migration advisory committee before its meeting in December, highlighting the need for more flexible visa arrangements to sustain the agricultural workforce.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/05/scottish-farmers-skilled-workers-visas-philippines