SCOTLAND’S “world-renowned” potato exports could be jeopardised by a No-Deal Brexit, the rural affairs minister has warned.
Concerns about the future of the “lucrative” industry of exporting Scottish seed potatoes around the world have been raised with the UK Government, amid fears Brexit could prevent sales to EU countries.
About 20,000 tonnes of seed potatoes are currently exported each year to the EU, with a further 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes shipped to Egypt under existing trading agreements.
With the Brexit deadline of October 31 approaching and the looming risk of the UK leaving without a deal, rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon has written to her UK Government counterpart to call for a solution “to mitigate the devastating impact leaving the European Union will have”.
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In the event of Boris Johnson failing to reach a deal with the EU, Scottish potato seed exporters face the possibility of not being able to access European markets and the prospect of tariffs which could impact trade.
Writing to George Eustice, a minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Gougeon asked for “urgent clarification and assurance that Scottish seed potatoes can continue to be exported to third countries, such as Egypt, in the event of a No-Deal Brexit”.
Gougeon wrote: “Seed potatoes from Scotland are world renowned for their high health status: they are of premium quality and are a successful and important part of Scotland’s rural economy.”
Commenting on the letter, she added: “In the event of a No-Deal Brexit, Scottish seed potatoes will be prohibited from entering the EU market.
“With just over two weeks to go until a potential No Deal, we are seeking urgent clarity from the UK Government on the potential impact on our farmers’ ability to trade with lucrative third country markets, such as Egypt. We must find a way to mitigate the devastating impact leaving the European Union will have.”
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