Foreign workers allowed to stay as fruit and vegetable harvest peaks

Tasmania’s foreign fruit and vegetable picking workforce can stay to bring in the harvest thanks for temporary changes to visa arrangements.

TASMANIA’S apple, pear, wine grape and berry harvests are well underway and fruit growers have welcomed news that temporary changes to visa arrangements will allow foreign pickers to stay and work here during the coronavirus crisis.

The state’s crop is in demand as Australia’s national apple crop is down markedly due to bushfires in NSW and Victoria,. More than 22,000 bins of local apples worth $27 million will be heading to Victoria soon.

Other produce being harvested with a largely seasonal workforce are pears, potatoes, wine grapes, broccoli and berries.

The Federal Government’s ruling means workers within the Pacific Labour Scheme, Seasonal Worker Program and working holiday-makers can continue to work on farms and in food processing.

Fruit Growers Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish said most fruit businesses had their workforce in place before borders were shutdown due to the pandemic.

While some foreign workers returned home earlier than planned most were already in Tasmania and decided to stay for harvest.

“It is great we are still operating, been deemed an essential service and have enough workers,” Mr Cornish said.

“Our main issues were guaranteeing we had enough workers and that Bass Strait remained open to get out produce to market.

“Most producers had their labour force largely sorted a month or so ago. Some orchards, such as Squibb's in the North-West, have taken on more locals than is normal but it is pretty much business as usual.”

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Minister for Primary Industries Guy Barnett welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement to make temporary changes to visa arrangements.

“The priority for the Tasmanian Government is ensuring this state has the food we need and we are working with industry to guarantee supply,” Mr Barnett said.

“Tasmanians can be proud that we are self-sufficient with low-cost reliable clean energy and produce a ready supply of food, including world class meat, wild and farmed fisheries and a sufficient variety of fruit and vegetables to meet dietary requirements.

Minister for Primary Industries Guy Barnett welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement to make temporary changes to visa arrangements. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“These changes will mean Tasmanian farmers can continue to operate, harvesting and producing food rather than letting it rot on the ground or waste on the branch.

“The agriculture sector relies on an ongoing workforce and the Australian Government’s changes allows that to continue while ensuring strict health and safety measures are adhered to, including visa holders following self-isolation requirements when they move between regions”.

What will happen to overseas workers when the harvest season is over is yet to be seen but questions are being asked to ensure seasonal workers are not stuck in Tasmania with no wages coming in.

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