The SNP has said the Tory government is “selling Scotland’s farming and fishing industry out” – as details emerge of the extreme Tory Brexit deal with the EU.
Widespread reports suggest seed potatoes, a valuable multi-million-pound Scottish export will not be included in a deal allowing UK crops into the EU from January 1st – dealing a major blow to Scotland’s farming sector.
Evidence suggests Scotland’s economy has already lost billions as a result of Brexit, with the Warwick Study estimating Scotland has lost more than £3.94billion to date.
Commenting, SNP Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson Deidre Brock MP (pictured) said:
“If these reports are true, it would be a terrible negotiating failure on the part of the Tory government – and a devastating blow to an extremely valuable part of Scotland’s booming farming industry.
“Scottish seed potato exports to the EU are worth millions each year – but that is being threatened by Boris Johnson’s plans for an extreme Tory Brexit that Scotland didn’t vote for.
“It is clear that the Tories are selling Scotland’s farming and fishing industry out and planning a total betrayal of our rural communities – with a hard Brexit that will cause serious and lasting damage to exports, jobs, living standards, businesses and the economy.
“Scotland has been completely ignored by Westminster throughout the Brexit process.
“The only outcome possible at this late stage is a very thin and bad deal.
“It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s interests and our place in Europe is to become an independent country.”
