NEW rules have been introduced to stop nationals from new EU entrant countries living off the state in Guernsey. The Board of Administration’s immigration regulations come into effect today.

They allow EU nationals into the island as long as they can prove they are self-sufficient or have a job.

The UK has introduced similar rules to stop migrants claiming social housing or living on benefits.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has recognised the ‘huge contribution’ immigrants make to the country’s economy.

And leading local horticulturist Rodney Brouard said that horticulture and tourism would collapse without guest workers.

He said that about 500 Latvians and 100 Madeirans were working in those industries for about 100 firms, mostly on nine-month contracts.

‘Without people coming in to work, there would be no horticulture or tourist industries,’ said Mr Brouard, managing director of the Stan Brouard Group.

‘There is no way you could operate without them. Without people coming in to work and seasonal employees coming in from other areas of the EU, the industries would be in serious difficulties, which would affect the whole island.’

Mr Brouard said he did not believe that many more nationals from the expanded union would be trying to come to Guernsey in months to come. He said that the industries probably did not need any more workers.

‘They are good workers and we have no complaints with them – we get very few problems overall. We always consider taking workers from different places.’