SNP MSP Jim Fairlie will lead a Members’ Business Debate today on the threat a tariff-free trade deal with countries like Australia will pose to Scotland’s farmers and agriculture sector.
The Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP will tell the Scottish Parliament that a trade deal that allows tariff-free access for lamb, beef and pork into the UK presents hugely damaging consequences to farmers and crofters in Scotland.
The UK Government has already faced stern criticism of its proposed deal with Australia, with both the UK and Scottish presidents of the National Farmers’ Union describing the prospect of tariff-free trade as a “total betrayal” and “unbearable”.
READ MORE: Jim Fairlie: Why Tories are wrong to paint Australian trade worries as just 'SNP grievance'
Fairlie will say: “Scotland’s food exports are world-renowned for their quality and make an incredible contribution to Scotland’s economy.
"It can’t be stressed enough how much damage a tariff-free deal would do to the industry, with farmers and crofters being undercut by imports that are lower in price and lower in quality.
"In many communities, including in my constituency, farming is a way of life and the prospect of a tariff-free deal could mean many family businesses which have been passed on through the generations going out of business.”
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