SNP accuse Johnson of betraying Scottish farmers with proposed Australia deal
The SNP have accused Boris Johnson of “betraying” Scottish farmers with his proposed trade deal with Australia.
Ian Blackford claimed the UK Government had thrown“scotland’ s interests under the Brexit bus” amid reports the Prime Minister is considering an offer of tariff-free trading that could see Scottish farmers undercut by produce of lower environmental and welfare standards.
The SNP Westminster leader said the move threatened the viability of many scottish farms and could leave families in ruin.
He said: "Boris Johnson has utterly betrayed Scottish farmers and crofters with a post-Brexit trade deal that threatens the viability of Scottish lamb and beef farming, and could wreck away of life that has existed across Scotland for generations.
"It is completely unacceptable that the Tory government is threatening to impose a deal that would undercut the price and standards of Scottish beef and lamb - putting Scottish farmers out of business.
"Yet again, Scotland's interests have been thrown under the Brexit bus - just as they were when the Tories sold out our fishing communities, and dragged Scotland out of the EU against our will.
"Brexit has already cost Scotlandbillions of pounds, and this Tory deal would be a disaster for our agricultural sector.
“There is a very real danger that many farmers will lose their livelihoods, rural businesses will collapse, and families will be driven off the land.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesman would not be drawn on details of the deal, and repeatedlyrefused to deny theuk would permit hormone-treated beef coming in as part of it.
He insisted: "Our priority will always be to ensure the best interests of british consumers ."
The spat comes amid infighting over the deal, with the UK Government Cabinet split over a trade agreement.
Environment secretary George Eustice and Michael Gove are believed to be in disagreement with international trade secretary Liz Truss and Brexit minister Lord Frost over the shape of a deal. There had been concerns about the impact a zero-quota arrangement with Australia could have on British meat produce, particularly beef and lamb, which has to reach higher standards.
The Prime Minister, however, insisted farmers will have a “fantastic opportunity”.
Speaking to broadcasters in Portsmouth, where he was visiting the HMS Queen Elizabeth II aircraft carrier, Mr Johnson said: “We are certainly looking at doing free trade deals with countries around the world, and I’m here on this incredible aircraft carrier, which is really a symbol of the way we want to do things–we see a global future for this country.
“I do think that free trade deals present a fantastic opportunity for our farmers, for businesses of all kinds, and for manufacturers .” justice Secretary Robert Buck land gave reassurances to farmers that they would not be “undercut” as part of a deal with canberra– which No 10 also repeated.
“The Government has always
said that any free trade agreementreached with australia or indeed other countries around the world… will of course take into account the very high welfare standards we apply here in the UK and will of course make sure british farming and british farmers are not undercut, are not put at a disadvantage,” Mr Buckland said.