THE Scottish Government should have a seat at the negotiating table in Brexit trade negotiations to protect the distinct priorities of Scottish trade, according to a House of Commons committee.
The claim is made in a report published today by the Scottish Affairs Committee, which is calling for devolved administrations to be closely involved in each stage of negotiating UK trade deals to ensure that trade agreements work for the devolved nations as well as the UK as a whole.
The Tory government should commit to including representatives from Scotland and other devolved administrations in the UK negotiating team for future trade agreements, it says, with the understanding that devolved ministers will not deviate from the UK Government negotiating position.
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Scottish representation would ensure no new barriers to trade are created between Scotland and the rest of the UK, the Scotland, Trade and Brexit report states.
The committee urged Westminster to ensure that sectors of vital importance to the Scottish economy such as food, drink and fisheries, are not traded away to secure preferential agreements for other industries.
Scottish producers must continue to enjoy the protection of geographical indicators (GI) status, which protects products such as Scotch whisky, Scotch beef and Stornoway black pudding against illegal imitation, according to the report. This, it says, must be a “red line” for the UK in all its future trade negotiations.
Pete Wishart, SNP MP and chairman of the committee, said: “The Government has the immense task of setting a precedent for all future international trade talks post-Brexit. My committee heard evidence that Scotland needs a place at the negotiating table if UK trade deals are to stand a chance of benefitting the whole of the UK.”
Protecting food and drink sectors was key, he added. “Scotland’s food and drink and services sectors have benefited enormously from the single market, and the same benefits must be secured for the future.
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“These industries cannot be allowed to become an afterthought in tense trade talks. The opportunities from boosting Scottish exports should be front and centre of UK trade policy and strategy.”
The report was published following an in-depth inquiry with evidence sessions hearing from academics, international trade experts, Scottish businesses and UK and Scottish Government ministers.
In 2017, total exports from Scotland (excluding oil and gas) were estimated to have been worth £81.4 billion to the Scottish economy, of which £32.4bn were international.
The EU was Scotland’s largest international export region accounting for 46% of all international exports, followed by North America at 17%.
The report argues that sectors of vital importance to the Scottish economy, including food, drink and fisheries, have benefited immensely from membership of the EU single market and recommends that the UK Government consult with businesses before any decisions to diverge from EU trading standards are made.
The committee also recommended that the UK Government explore the option of establishing an international trade sub-committee at the Joint Ministerial Council to ensure devolved administrations have a role in setting UK trade mandates.
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