Fruit could be left rotting on branches because of new limits on the number of foreign students allowed to work in the UK.

Farmers fear they will not be able to employ enough pickers to harvest their crop before it spoils.

One farmer this week described the change as “frustrating” and called for common sense to prevail.

The chairman of Kentish Gardens, Marion Ring, of Barren Place Farm in Mereworth, said the Home Office’s review of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) was a blow to Kentish fruit growers.

The scheme allowed farms to employ seasonal workers, mainly students, from non-EU countries.

Mrs Ring said: “It seems very frustrating. If you want seasonal produce then you need seasonal pickers.

“The SAWS scheme is a very well run, well regulated scheme that benefits both workers and employers.”

Cllr Paul Carter (Con), the KCC leader, has now launched a campaign to get Kent farmers a fairer deal.

Farming is one of the biggest industries in Kent, employing more than 15,000 people a year with a direct contribution to Kent’s economy of £600m and is essential in supporting the county’s £1.8bn tourism sector.

Cllr Carter said: “Kent’s farming industry is vitally important to the future success of the county. We must not let unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy continue to put our farmers out of business.

“If we want Kent’s residents to buy local food, in season, we need Kent farmers to be able to employ workers to pick the crops and compete in a competitive global marketplace.

“Farming is an important part of life in Kent and we must do everything we can to preserve it.”

In 2010 SAWS will be scrapped completely resulting in a drastic shortage of seasonal workers.

The salaries paid to seasonal workers and the UK benefits system deters British workers from carrying out seasonal work because of the length of time it takes to claim benefits once the work has finished.

Farmers are facing added pressure from additional European legislation which is in the pipeline. The latest EU directive will compel sheep farmers to electronically tag every one of their lambs and sheep. The cost and extra work this will involve has resulted in some farmers giving up sheep farming altogether.

Cllr Carter’s campaign is being backed by the Kent Branch of the National Farmers Union and Produced in Kent.

Kent County Council will be raising these issues on a number of platforms including through its position on the National Migration Group which advises the government; with Kent MPs and MEPs and on the stage at the Local Government Association Rural Conference on September 10.