John Laird, of Cairnie Fruit Farm near Cupar, said changes to legislation mean farms such as his can no longer employ workers from non-EU countries.

Not only does this mean that farmers will have a shortage of seasonal labour, but the economy of towns and villages nearby will also suffer, he said.

"I usually have 80 students working here, most of them from the Ukraine and Russia," said Mr Laird.

"I also usually recruit a number of Poles, but the Ukrainian study leave timetable is much more flexible and means they can also work in the autumn after the Poles leave.

"Now, as well as the Poles, I will only be able to take on workers from countries like Romania and Bulgaria.

"The students work eight hour days and spend their money in the town's shops, but this year I am going to be down by about 15 people.

"Even though this might not seem much, it will have a significant effect on what can be picked here and how much money is going into the town."

Mr Laird said work to pick over 230 tonnes of strawberries would usually start in the next two weeks and while he relies on local staff to man the farm shop and tea room, he said it is "impossible" to get local people to work in the fields.

"In the 1970s and 80s I had to turn people away," he said.

"There were around 200 local people working in the fields, especially those at Dalgairn on the edge of Cupar.

"Now I can't get anyone. The youngsters seem to think its beneath them, although we pay up to £8 an hour."

Mr Laird said that while he thinks he will manage to get through this season relatively unscathed, he believes that changes to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme will have a significant effect next year.

A spokesperson for Kettle Produce said: "The amendment to the scheme has not had a direct impact on us.

"However, we would echo some of the views that have been expressed by other UK produce organisations regarding the opening up of the regulations to allow workers from Bulgaria and Romania to play a part in the industry."