Ewing urges protection of unique Scots food and drink after Brexit
● Minister seeks special status for protected products
Rural affairs secretary Fergus Ewing has called on the UK government to take “urgent action” to protect unique Scottish food and drink products after Brexit.
Mr Ewing made the plea after the EU’S chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, wrote an article saying the protection of items like Scotch whisky, Stornoway black puddings, Arbroath smokies, wild salmond and Scotch beef were yet to be agreed.
Under European law, such products are protected by “geographical indications” (GI) that recognise their regional importance and distinctive characteristics. The UK government has said it will establish its own GI scheme after Brexit.
In his article, Mr Barnier said 80 per cent of the Withdrawal Agreement was agreed. but he added: “We still need to agree on important points such as the protection of ‘geographical indications’. 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.”
Mr Ewing said: “Maintaining our protected food names and other geographical indications following Brexit is vital. This is something that we have been calling for the UK government to do for a long time. The European Commission’s chief negotiator recognises the significant contribution that these producers make to the wider economy.
“We have been pressing UK government to agree a need for a UK GI system post-brexit from the outset and, while we welcome confirmation in their White Paper of the plans to do so, there remains a question over maintaining the existing protection currently enjoyed by our producers within the EU through the mutual recognition of our protected products.
“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.
“The UK government must make it clear it is not preparing to ditch vital geographical indications to facilitate a future trade deal with the US. It must rule out ‘no deal’ and reach an agreement that protects our world-class produce.” A UK government spokeswoman said negotiations were continuing. She 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.”
“It is extremely alarming that the EU says this has not yet been resolved and that the failure of the UK government... is being cited...” FERGUS EWING Rural affairs secretary