THE SNP have slammed the UK Government after reports suggest ministers are preparing to relax post-Brexit plans for border checks on EU imports due to fears of food scarcity.
Mairi Gougeon, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, demanded “immediate” financial support from the UK Government, citing the support Ireland has received from the European Union as part of its Brexit mitigation fund.
Plans for full customs checks, which include physical inspections, are due to begin on July 1 but Boris Johnson’s new Brexit Minister, Lord Frost, is reportedly considering scaling back these plans amid concerns it could further damage trade and lead to severe food shortages in UK supermarkets.
Gougeon said: “Anything less than the UK Government seeking a grace period for Scotland and delivering the immediate support and financial compensation that it requires – just like it did for Northern Ireland – will simply not be good enough.”
She continued: “While Ireland has had €1.05 billion from the EU’s Brexit mitigation fund, Boris Johnson’s extreme Brexit, which was imposed against our will, has already cost Scotland almost £4bn and projected to cost every person the equivalent of £1600 as a result of barriers to trade.
“Scotland faces a choice of two futures – the long-term damage of Brexit and Tory austerity cuts with Westminster or the opportunity to protect our place in Europe and build a strong, fair and green recovery as an independent country.
“It is for the people of Scotland to decide their future – not Boris Johnson.
“With both votes SNP in May we can put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”
Exporters to the EU have been hit massively because of new rules and regulations after Brexit, causing many businesses extra time and money to put procedures in place.
The Scottish fishing industry in particular has seen huge losses and disruption since the end of the transition period on December 31.
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