Protection for unique UK products still not in place, says EU chief

The UK and EU have still not worked out how to protect products like Arbroath smokies and Scotch whisky from cheap knock-offs after Brexit, Brussels’ chief negotiator has revealed.

Michele Barnier said that although 80% of the Withdrawal Agreement is agreed ahead of Britain leaving the bloc next March, some key areas remain unresolved.

This includes so-called geographical indications, which act as a safeguard to food and drink linked to the area where it is produced.

Scottish Farmed Salmon, Scotch Lamb and Scotch Beef are other protected items.

In an article published in 20 European newspapers, Mr Barnier said: “We still need to agree on important points, such as the protection of ‘Geographical Indications’ (GIs).

“This refers to the protection of local farm and food products like Scottish whisky or Parmesan cheese, where EU protection has generated significant value for European farmers and producers.”

He added a potential hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which he hinted could threaten the Good Friday Agreement, is Brexit’s “biggest risk.”

SNP Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing called for the UK Government to protect Scotland’s food and drink produce in the talks.

He said: “It is extremely alarming that the EU says this has not yet been resolved and that the failure of the UK Government to reach agreement on this issue is being cited as one of the obstacles to reaching an overall Withdrawal Agreement.

“A no deal outcome would be catastrophic for our food and drink industry and the economy as a whole.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “GIs are very important to the UK, both culturally and economically, and that is why we will establish specific GI schemes to protect UK GIs in the future.

“This means favourites such as Scotch whisky, Scotch beef and lamb, Scottish wild salmon, and all other current UK GI protected products, will continue to be safeguarded in the UK when we leave the EU.”