Food and drink industry is in a ‘perilous position’ and unprepared for Brexit as transition period nears end
Almost three-quarters of Scotland' s food and drink businesses feel unprepared for B rex it and any resulting disruption, according to research.
Scotland Food and Drink said, with a month to go until the transition period ends, the industry feel sit is in a" perilous position ".
The industry body has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeking urgent action and assurance son trading arrangements once the transition period ends on 31 December.
With many of the new trading rules still unknown, coupled with businesses fighting to survive the impact of the pandemic, the industry has called for a six-month grace period to adjust to whatever the new trading rules are – in particular on the requirement to issue millions of new export certificates for food products.
Industry leaders will meet Victoria Pr entice, a minister in the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to discuss the issues.
James Wit hers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said: "With only one month to go until the end of transition, Scotland's food and drink industry finds itself in a perilous position.
"Without the reassurances we have asked for, particularly the six-month grace period on export paperwork, there is huge concern among our members and the wider industry that the impact of Brexit could cost millions and tip many businesses over the edge.
"In reality, the Brexit transition period hasn't actually happened. Businesses have had to focus on surviving the Covid-19 pandemic and, with one month to go, we still don't know what exactly we're preparing for. Is it a deal or no - deal?
"Even without the added financial and logistical pressures of coronavirus, preparing for a completely unknown set of trading regulations and the biggest trading upheaval of a generation is a hugely challenging ask.
"At a time when our industry is still struggling with the £3 billion hit of coronavirus, we now risk putting businesses to the wall by not providing time to implement the new regulations.
"It is unacceptable and entirely avoidable."