Trade war worry as Johnson reneges on post-Brexit agreement
Trade body Salmon Scotland has reiterated its fears that the UK Government’s decision to unilaterally alter part of the post-Brexit deal it agreed with the European Union could hit trade to the Continent, Scottish salmon’s most important export market.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is today due to publish plans to change the Protocol section of the deal to make it easier for some goods to move between Britain and Northern Ireland.
But the EU is against the move, saying it would break international law.
When the move was mooted last month, Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott wrote to Johnson, warning that any deterioration in relationships between London and Brussels which leads to friction at the border, delays and queues for hauliers crossing to France, or extra costs for salmon exporters, could put the industry back to where it was at the start of last year when exports were in chaos.
Protect progress
Today Scott said: “At a time of rising costs and concern about food security the last thing our farmers and the country needs is a trade war with our partners in Europe.
“Two-thirds of all salmon exports go to the European Union, making it our largest and most important market by far.
“We’ve only just got exports back to where they were before the pandemic, and we need to do everything possible to protect that progress.
“Exporters simply cannot afford a return to increased checks and delays at the channel.
“We urge the UK Government to find a political solution that maintains vital trade deals.”
Scottish salmon sales to the EU were worth £372 million in 2021 – accounting for 61% of global Scottish salmon exports.
