SNP MP Drew Hendry blasted the UK Government's trade deal with Australia - and says it proves the case for independence.
The SNP's shadow spokesperson for Trade took the Westminster government to task during a debate on the tariff free deal in the House of Commons this morning.
It comes as the UK Government agreed the trade deal with Australia on Tuesday, but there have been major concerns raised of the impact of importing beef and lamb from the country, and the impact this will have on farmers and crofters in Scotland and Wales.
Earlier today, Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss took to the chamber to laud the "historic deal" and access to products such as swimsuits and wine from Australia.
READ MORE: US farmers watching UK-Australia Brexit deal as 'template'
She said: "This gold-standard agreement shows what the UK is capable of as a sovereign trading nation, securing huge benefits like zero-tariff access to Australia for all British goods, world-leading provisions in digital and services, while making it easier for Brits to live and work in Australia.
"It also paves the way for the UK’s accession to the vast market covered by the comprehensive and progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific partnership, coupling us with some of the largest and fastest growing economies worth £9 trillion in global GDP. "
However, Hendry did not hold back when it came to his chance to probe the Cabinet Secretary.
He said: "For all her bluster, she knows that any deal with Australia can’t even make a dent on the shortfall created by the trading disaster of leaving the EU. The simple fact is we’re doing less trade now than before January 1.
"This deal with take 15 years to deliver one twohundredth of the benefits of EU membership, a loss that’s already cost Scotland’s economy around £4 billion and is projected to cost every person £1600 in red tape and barriers to trade.
READ MORE: Scotland 'kept in the dark' on Australia deal while UK briefs the media
"The Secretary of State talks of whisky exports for Australia whilst ignoring the fact that the Brexit cost of goods for distillers have shot up around 20%, in addition to lost trade, this deal can’t come close to mitigating their costs or sales. Fourteen of Scotland’s food and drinks organisations have written to her, and say they have been ignored by this government.
"They are Scotland’s farmers, crofters, producers and manufacturers. They know that they’re being dragged under water by yet another Westminster government that simply doesn’t care, and for what, swimwear?"
Hendry added that in the 1970s the Tories called Scottish fishing "expendable" and that they are now repeating that "contempt for Scottish agriculture".
He said: "They failed to back any amendments to legislation that would protect UK standards in trade negotiations or even public services, so can she guarantee that this deal does not include investor state dispute settlement mechanisms (ISDS), that could give corporations the right to sue government over actions affecting their profits, potentially leading to privatisation of public services, like the NHS, or changes to workers rights?
"Could she tell us how she will guarantee that not cut of hormone injected beef from Australia or food products treated with pesticides and antibiotics will appear on our supermarket shelves? She can’t can she?
READ MORE: Boris Johnson 'betrays' Scots farmers by going ahead with Australia Brexit deal
"Or will she simply duck these questions and prove once again that the only way to protect Scotland’s businesses and consumers, is through independence?"
Truss replied: "I have much more faith than the honourable gentleman does in Scotland’s beef and lamb industry, I think it’s some of the best beef and lamb in the world. I’m excited about the opportunities in the trans-pacific partnership which by 2030 will be eating 25% of the world’s meat, and I think he should be looking forward to those opportunities rather than harking back to the time we were members of the EU.
"He needs to look at where the fast growing markets of the future are, that’s where Scotland’s opportunities lie."
She added that no hormone injected beef would be allowed into the UK and there were no provisions for ISDS.
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