FOOD and drink makers could be pushed towards automation if Brexit causes a worker shortage, according to the head of one of the UK's biggest shortbread brands.
Sean Austin, managing director of Scottish biscuit maker Paterson Arran, says changing labour laws could force manufacturers to switch to tech-heavy methods if they cannot fill vacancies.
The Livingston company makes Paterson's Shortbread, Arran chutneys and more.
Austin said: "Scotland’s food and drink industry already has a skills issue. If we can’t get access to labour, manufacturers are likely to turn to automation.
"Although this means businesses will need fewer people overall, they will need more highly skilled labour.
“This will be a challenge for us all as the oil industry continues to recover and sucks in skilled engineers.”
The comments came at an industry forum held by executive recruiters Livingston James, MacRoberts law firm and accountants Johnston Carmichael.
Exports of Scots-made foodstuffs and beverages hit an all-time high of around £6 billion last year, according to figures revealed in May. The total marks a £570 million increase on the previous year and almost 70 per cent of food exports – worth around £1.1bn – went to the European Union.
Industry body Scotland Food & Drink aims to grow the value of the sector to £30bn by 2030, a plan supported by the Scottish Government.
By this time, the UK will have been outwith the bloc for almost a decade.
Michael Russell, Scotland's Brexit secretary, has said firms face "significant challenges" in attracting and retaining workers, as well as potential regulatory and trading hurdles.
Describing problems the sector now faces, Austin said: "Tariffs will be a huge issue for food and drink manufacturers and, while Paterson Arran is a relatively small exporter, country of origin will also be an issue if we don’t have the right agreement.
“Businesses like ours are working hard on contingency plans but some of this investment will be wasted because not all of the scenarios will come to pass.”
Earlier this month, Meg Marshall of Perthshire's Peter Marshall Fruit revealed how labour shortages saw 20 tonnes of berries left to rot, while William Houston of Angus Soft Fruits said farmers are under "enormous" stress.
Ben Walker of Livingston James said: "While the potentially negative impact of Brexit on securing labour for certain sectors such as fruit and vegetable production or fish farming has been well documented, there is less awareness of how it could affect more senior roles."
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