GANGMASTERS operating in the fields and orchards of the Vale were this week warned to ensure they were properly licensed - or face a heavy fine.

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, announced that time was running out for all labour providers, including recruitment and employment agencies, to apply for a licence.

He told a meeting of the Temporary Labour Working Group, which is now winding up, that the GLA was prepared to police the sector effectively and take on "the rogues within it".

Anyone who supplies workers to agriculture, horticulture and food or drink processing and packaging will face up to ten years in prison and a £5,000 fine if they do not have a licence by Sunday, October 1.

Mike Wilson, the GLA chief executive, said: "An application can take up to 30 working days to complete because of the time it takes to inspect the business and to check information held by other government departments.

"So time really is running out for those who still have to apply.

"The law takes effect from October 1 and it is up to labour providers to submit their applications in time to be processed by that date.

"Any application submitted after September 1 could, therefore, fall foul of the law.

"The GLA will not take action against any labour provider that has submitted a properly completed application before September 1, however long it may take to process.

"Our experience shows that businesses that have not previously been audited can struggle to meet the GLA standards and require a period to remedy shortcomings. Leaving applications to the last minute risks not being legal by October 1.

Mr Whitehouse said: "The GLA is here to protect workers from exploitation by licensing those who supply them and ensuring they meet strict standards. Those who refuse to meet those standards will be dealt with."