So much for our global brands

Sir, – The UK Internal Market (UKIM)

Bill has prompted a major backlash over proposals which will give Westminster control over UK-wide infrastructure projects and regulatory standards for goods to be the same across all four devolved nations, affecting many devolved powers and standards.

Non-discrimination outlined in the UKIM Bill affects labelling

regardless of the nation of origin of produce.

Several stakeholders have raised concerns, including the National Farmers Union of Scotland, Food Standards Scotland and coalition Scottish Environment LINK.

The Bill will be used to undermine PGI (Protected Geographical Indicators) as in Scotch whisky and beef.

Despite their centuries-long tradition and international recognition as uniquely Scottish products, supermarkets are

already promoting British whisky and British haggis!

Scottish Conservative MPs voted against a cross-party amendment to the UK Agriculture Bill to ensure substandard food could not be imported in any future trade deals involving chlorinated chicken, hormone-injected beef and other foodstuffs treated with insecticides and pesticides banned in the EU.

The Secretary of State for Scotland claimed it is “emphatically not the case” that the Bill will lead to a “race to the bottom” in food standards and environmental protections, despite the UK Government blocking every move to provide legal guarantees to ensure standards would be maintained.

So much for our global brand of AberdeenAngus.

A simple question for the Secretary of State for Scotland: What is wrong with the existing UK internal market?

D. W. Lowden. Hutchison Terrace, Aberdeen.