Demand for more Scottish produce protection

MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has demanded the UK government protect Scottish produce, such as Stornoway Black Pudding, by upholding the Protected Food Name scheme in future trade deals.

This comes in response to the UK Government’s omission of Scottish products from the EU-Canada trade deal and of key Scottish Protected Food Names in EU trade deals with Japan and Mexico.

SNP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing has also written to the UK’s environment, food and rural affairs minister Michael Gove to seek assurances around the protection of UK food names in EU trade deals, without which producers could be commercially disadvantaged

Commenting, Dr Allan said throughout the Brexit process, the UK Government had repeatedly failed to stand up for Scotland’s interests.

‘Here in the Western Isles, we produce food and drink brands which are consumed across the world. The approach from the Tories must change, and they must recognise the importance of the food and drink industry in Scotland and the reach across the globe these iconic brands gives places like the Western Isles,’ he said.

‘The EU Protected Food Name scheme has safeguarded products from our islands such as Stornoway Black Pudding, Scotch lamb and Scottish farmed salmon from cheap knock-offs, but Michael Gove seems all too willing to discard this protection away from Scottish producers and open the floodgates to cheaper products appearing on our supermarket shelves from overseas. We cannot gamble with Scotland’s £14 billion food and drink sector, where provenance of product is paramount, and allow cheaper imitations to undercut our first class, wholesome produce.

‘The UK government must meaningfully engage with the devolved governments to ensure their interests are protected. We cannot let Westminster’s Brexit shambles leave Scottish producers high and dry in the global trading marketplace.’