Scottish ministers urged to hand over Brexit cash to help industry

The Scottish Government was last night urged to pass on Brexit preparation cash to the north-east to ensure fish and shellfish can be exported after EU withdrawal.

Banff and Buchan Tory MP David Duguid made the call amid concerns UK Government Brexit cash has yet to be passed on to councils by Scottish ministers.

Mr Duguid says the money is required to fund inspectors to ensure produce destined for EU markets is compliant with environmental health laws.

Recent reports have suggested the Scottish Government has been given £93 million in “Barnett consequentials” from the UK Government to prepare for Brexit.

Around £8m is destined for councils. But Mr Duguid claimed Aberdeenshire Council and other local authorities had only received £50,000 each.

The Banff and Buchan MP said: “Our local authorities need a share of that money – now – to get environmental health officers next to our fishermen on October 31.

“This is an issue that was first raised to me in February this year – at which time I informed both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils that this money should be available.

“At that time, at least £90m had been allocated but not a penny had been passed to Scottish councils by the Scottish Government – despite some £57m having been passed to English councils at that time.”

He added: “For this iconic industry to flourish after October 31, the support needs to be there.”

With 77% of fishing exports going to Europe, it has been estimated an extra 150,000 health export certificates will be needed per year, creating a need for environmental health officers.

Mr Duguid’s plea came as MSPs on Holyrood’s finance committee called for more clarity on how EU funding will be replaced post-Brexit.

MP David Duguid