BORIS Johnson is "in total denial" over the harm a no-deal Brexit will inflict on farmers and Scotland’s food and drink industry, according to the SNP.
As the Tory leader visits south Wales to meet farmers today, Deidre Brock MP said his extreme Brexit plans would leave many farmers and producers struggling to survive in the face of huge trade barriers, cuts to subsidies, and shortages of workers.
The SNP Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson also called on the UK Government to finally pay up the missing £160 million in convergence payments it owes Scotland’s farmers, and stop damaging Scotland’s food and drink industry with its hostile environment policies that have caused shortages of vital workers.
Brock said: “Boris Johnson is in total denial about the devastating impact that his extreme Brexit plans would have on farmers and producers across Scotland and the UK – leaving many struggling to survive.
“Any form of Brexit would be damaging – but a no-deal exit would create huge barriers to trade, making produce uncompetitive, and leading to an appalling situation where millions of unsold lambs and other livestock may have to be slaughtered and burned.
“If the UK Government wants to help our food and drink industry it must pay up the £160m is still owes Scotland’s farmers in missing convergence funds, and stop damaging our agricultural sector with its hostile environment policies that have caused shortages of workers, leaving quality Scottish fruit rotting in the fields.
“Scotland has been completely ignored by Westminster, and it’s clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s interests is by becoming an equal and independent European country.”
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