CHANGES proposed in the Retained EU Law Bill could be a “potential death sentence” for Scottish agriculture, the SNP have warned.
In the midst of a debate in the House of Commons, SNP MPs hit out at the limitations of the bill on Scottish agriculture.
SNP MP Brendan O’Hara said: “There is a genuine fear that this Retained EU Law Bill and the power that is conferred upon this place is a potential death sentence for the Scottish agricultural sector.”
He asked for guarantees that Scottish consumers would not be “unwittingly subjected to chlorine-washed chicken”, and warned it would “undermine the devolution settlement”.
O’Hara said: “Lowering food standards and the relaxation of rules around labelling and animal welfare, as well as a mass importation of inferior-quality products, will be an unmitigated disaster for Scottish agriculture. This bill is the starting whistle on a deregulatory race to the bottom.
READ MORE: SNP bid to disrupt Westminster proceedings with rare private sitting is thwarted
“This is not a road that Scotland has chosen to go down, rather this a road that Scotland is being dragged down.
“If the new Prime Minister is serious about making a fresh start, about resetting relationships with Edinburgh and Brussels and the people of these islands, then abandoning this ill-judged piece of Ukip-ery would show that he’s serious.”
Labour warned that the bill gives too many unchecked powers to the UK Government and needs to be rethought.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry warned about those legal ramifications. The Edinburgh South West MP told the Commons: “This bill means that if ministers want retained EU law to fall away, they needn’t take any action at all. The decision to take no action is not subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
“That means that very important rights and protections could be lost, including the right to equal pay between men and women, a pivotal changing right in our society.”
Alba’s Westminster leader added that although Scotland is a “country”, according to the 1707 Act of Union, the act did not create one nation.
Neale Hanvey told the Commons: “Whilst I do respect the right of withdrawal from the EU, it just feels rather disingenuous to say the very least, that Scotland should be denied that right to withdraw from this union by the very people who embrace the withdrawal from the EU.
“And one of the second points I’d make in opening remarks is that a part of the agreement between the Kingdom of Scotland and England that led to the Treaty of Union was that any law change should be to the evident utility of the people of Scotland.
“And that is set in the Articles of Union and I see nothing in this legislation, that is for the evident utility of the people in my Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency in Scotland.”
He added: “Well, the fact of the matter is that the 1707 Act of Union created one state but it did not create one nation. Scotland is a country. It has always maintained its identity as a country, even with the UN and from the Declaration of Arbroath to the Claim of Right is the people of Scotland who are sovereign and not a Parliament and not a regent.”
How has Brexit affected your Scottish business?
Has Brexit had an impact on your Scottish business? Whether you work in hospitality, travel, or any other sector we would love to hear from you. We already know leaving the EU has meant empty shop shelves, delays in orders and price rises for Scots businesses. Now we want to hear from owners themselves to find out what Brexit has done to our firms.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel