Governments urged to help salmon sector offset impacts of US tariffs

Scotland’s salmon farmers have asked the Scottish and UK governments to make changes that would help offset the impact that US president Donald Trump’s 10% import tariff will have on the sector.

The suggested measures include reduced red tape, the introduction of digital export health certificates (EHCs) for all salmon exports to the European Union, and what appears to be a request for a reduction in marine site rents paid to Crown Estate Scotland.

The actions are listed in a letter from Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland, to the UK government’s Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, and the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

Practical steps

Referring to the tariff announcement this week, Scott writes: “What is of great importance is assisting business operations here at home.

“There are a number of practical steps by both governments that would assist in our competitiveness and thus in our ability to invest in people [and] innovation and help grow the economy.”

Scott said both governments had committed to regulatory reform, and that the sector welcomed the reform of the planning system in England. “We would hope that lessons learnt south of the border could be applied in Scotland,” added Scott.

One-stop consenting

Salmon Scotland has two requests for the Scottish Government:

• a one-stop approach to aquaculture consenting, as recommended by Professor Russel Griggs in 2022 following his independent inquiry into salmon farming
• ensuring that Crown Estate Scotland’s income from salmon farm seabed leases “recognises the impact of market change signified by the US administration’s tariff policy”.

Scott wants the UK Government to commit to the introduction of digital Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for all salmon exports to the EU.

“This would assist in reducing time to marketplace. In light of the 16% tariff imposed on Norway by USA, it is likely that there will be greater pressure on the European market with potential impact on Scotland,” he wrote.

Keep talking to EU

Salmon Scotland is also the UK Government to continue positive engagement with the EU, “which remains our largest export market”.

“The work towards an SPS [food safety and animal and plant health agreement] negotiation with the EU is welcome although shorter term opportunities are available which would benefit consumers in the EU through faster access if widely used packaging - which previously accessed the EU seamlessly when part of the trading bloc - was accepted on entry.”

The trade body also wants Westminster to extend an existing concession for offshore wellboat workers while recruitment and training develops capacity in the UK.

“The shortage of crew applies both domestically and internationally and providing business certainty will allow the Scottish sector to retain vital services,” writes Scott. “For example, a five-year extension, as applied to the seasonal work visa scheme, would allow short term confidence and investment in continued operations as new crew are recruited and trained.”

Read the letter in full here.