Food (and drink) for thought on Brexit

Sean Murphy

look at the process of these negotiations nobody ever said it was going to be easy” “Time is running out to agree a viable solution to the Irish border”

Following recent statements from both Ruth Davidson and UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove that Scottish farmers and producers will receive the support they need following Brexit, it’s clear that the government are keen to be being seen to address the key fears of the food and drink industry in Scotland.

As one of the fastest growing industries, which has a value of £14 billion and employs more than 120,000 people, it will play a vital part in ensuring the economy of Scotland, and the wider UK, remains strong when we do eventually leave the European Union.

The soft fruit sector and the Scotch whisky industry have already voiced their concerns over the process, following the lead of the farming sector in calling for Westminster to ensure that they are not ignored in any future negotiations that could see major changes to trade deals or payments threaten their continued growth. Last week, research from British Summer Fruits (BSF), the industry body which accounts for 95 per cent of all UK grown berries supplied to UK supermarkets, found that the government has still not produced a plan to safeguard home-grown berry production, the delay posing a serious threat to both “the nation’s health and economy”.

The report found that three out of five growers (61 per cent) say it has already become more difficult to recruit seasonal workers, while around the same number had already experienced a drop in applications for seasonal work, with many expecting worse shortages next year.

Nick Marston, chairman of BSF, stated: “British growers are dependent on seasonal

Theresa May agricultural workers from the EU. Without them, we cannot cultivate and harvest the volumes of berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) currently produced in the UK and continue to meet consumer demand.”

This was backed by the Andersons’ Brexit & Seasonal Labour Report, which estimated that consumers will have to pay between 35 to 50 per cent more for strawberries and raspberries.

William Houstoun, chief executive of the Scottish fruit producing body Angus Growers, added that a loss of access to seasonal workers from Europe, who make up over 90 per cent of the workforce, isn’t the only threat, with the weak pound and a “brain drain” of experienced eastern European managers and scientists also set to have a hugely detrimental effect. Earlier this year, the Scotch Whisky Associatioon outlined their priorities for the industry following Brexit, making it clear that reassurances about the rules and export procedures the sector would need to comply with after March 2019 would be needed.

The industry, which is strategically important to the UK economy, making up over 20 per cent of all UK food and drink exports, has just enjoyed a record-breaking year for exports in 2017 and is worried that any barriers to trade with the EU could see the success of recent years quickly falter.

SWA chief executive Karen Betts said: “With over 30 per cent of our trade with EU, it is vital that the UK government secures transition that allows frictionless trade to continue to with European markets and with those countries with which the EU has free trade agreements. Longer term, we are urging the UK government to secure as smooth trade conditions as possible with Europe alongside pursuing ambitious free trade deals with key markets around the world.” Lib Dem Brexit spokesman

Tom Brake

“While the shambolic Tory government is holding

Scotland

0 The booming Scots whisky sector, which has just enjoyed a record year for exports, is among those to raise Brexit alarm bells