Seafood exports being caught up in post-brexit red tape ‘shambles’

Expor ting seafood to Europe has been “very challenging” due to red tape in the wake of the Brexit transition period ending, Scotland’s food industry says.

Extra bureaucratic steps are creating “major problems” for perishable food which must reach markets on the continent in 24 hours, according to industry body Scotland Food and Drink.

It comes after some fishing and seafood companies described the new arrangements as a “shambles”.

Since January 1, seafood is being taken to logistics hubs in central Scotland where it can be certified for onward transport to the EU.

But confusion over paper work has meant some consignments have been held up.

James Withers, chief exec utive of Scotland Food and Drink, said there had been problems encountered at the hub in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, as well as IT problems on the French side of the English Channel.

He said: “It has been a very challenging 72 hours with industry and the authorities adjusting new, complex trading rules without having had any time to properly test them.

“We have warned for months about the lack of preparation time for everyone involved and these problems have sadly come as little surprise.

“There are now a lot of bureaucratic steps to navigate in getting product from Scotland into France and small delays at different points can quickly cause major problems for a set of products whose value relies on getting to European markets within 24 hours.”

Scottish salmon is among the UK’S largest food exports and is sold around the world.

SB Fish, which is based at Troon in South Ayrshire, tweeted on Wednesday that their goods had been held up en route to France and described the entire process as a “shambles”.

The UK Government earlier said they were made aware of a “small number” of issues around seafood due to information not being entered correctly.

These problems have sadly come as little surprise