NFUS welcomes EU trade deal but it is not all good news

The announcement that a trade deal between the UK and the EU has been agreed just days before the end of the transition period is a great relief to Scotland’s farmers and crofters and the wider food chain.

Since the EU referendum four-and-a-half years ago, NFU Scotland has been resolute in its belief that a ‘no deal’, and the introduction of swingeing tariffs on key agricultural products would have been a disaster for the sector.

The detail of the deal, contained within a 2,000-page document, must be scrutinised and receive parliamentary approval. It does offer a platform for trade with the EU, but it is unlikely to be frictionless. Trade will inevitably involve significant levels of bureaucracy, additional cost and delays, particularly in early January whilst new systems at the borders bed in.

In addition, the decision by the EU to grant third country listing status to the UK on December 23 and approve exports of meat, dairy and other products of animal origin is seen as crucial. Scottish red meat exports to the EU alone are worth more than £80 million.

However, the trade deal has failed Scotland’s internationally recognised seed potato industry. From January 1 it will not be possible for

Scottish seed potatoes to be exported to the EU. As an EU member state, Britain exported around 30,000t of seed potatoes, worth £13.5 million, to mainland Europe each year and the majority of these were high-health stocks grown in Scotland. There is also significant trade with Northern Ireland that is now at risk, although great efforts have been made by the seed potato trade to export earlier to beat the December 31 deadline.

NFU Scotland has created a step-by-step Brexit preparedness resource for members to ensure they have made all necessary preparations. To view, visit www.nfus.org.uk/ policy/brexit.aspx