“By about the ’80s a lot of housewives became employed and dramatically reduced that pool of casual help. We then had to rely on the unemployed who at that time were in considerable numbers – so we dipped into that pool of people who desperately needed work.

“Gradually that situation improved – for male employees it improved enormously – and in the ’90s that left many fewer people to help out those of us who needed help with our crops. We tried hard to source labour locally, but the ones that were left were less reliable – 50 per cent were excellent, but 50 per cent were unreliable, either because they didn’t want to work, or because they came for a few days and then left to do other jobs. This gradually made the situation impossible for those of us who had perishable produce to pick, grade and pack.

“We had to resort to gang labour which we detested – mainly operating with droves of people who came down from Lincolnshire. We didn’t like the gang master scenario, and relying on one person to provide our labour.”

At this point Jim turned to migrant labour. “Two or three reputable organisations set up ways of getting Eastern European people here, and back again, under licence – we chose one administered by the Young Farmers at Stoneleigh – the HOPS scheme (Harvesting Opportunities Permit Scheme).”

His migrant workers, mainly students, work on Fentongollan Farm from January 1, when flower picking starts, until the end of September when all the bulbs have been planted – he also needs a few workers from October until Christmas.

Jim is adamant that Cornish farmers could not manage without migrant labour. “They are so good, so motivated – they have a work ethic.”