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Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Tories Break Food Standard Promise to Farmers Just Weeks into Brexit

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Local SNP MSP, Richard Lochhead (piuctured), has slammed Westminster for breaking its promises to Moray farmers just weeks after the end of the Brexit transition period, after the UK Tory government announced plans to consult on the introduction of gene-editing.

Commercial planting of GM crops is currently banned in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following decisions in 2015 โ€“ but without EU protection, the Tories are now threatening to overrule the devolved administrations and drive down Scotlandโ€™s high-quality food standards.

Despite the ban, the Tory Power Grab Bill allows ministers to override Scottish Ministers in certain areas, including in farming and food standards.

The proposal to introduce pesticide neonicotinoid is a promise which has been explicitly broken after Michael Gove promised not to U-turn on it.

The pesticide is used for sugar beet, but is harmful to bees.

Commenting, the MSP for Moray said:

โ€œThe harsh realities of the Toriesโ€™ Power Grab Bill are coming home to roost now, with Boris Johnsonโ€™s government threatening to impose GM crops on Scotland โ€“ despite a ban.

โ€œOur local food and drink sector is world-renowned for being of the highest quality, so these plans to introduce GM crops will come as a devastating blow to the industry that is already struggling to deal with the impact of Brexit.

โ€œThanks to the Tories, the UKโ€™s global reputation may well be damaged beyond repair, but we want to maintain Scotlandโ€™s clean, green reputation when it comes to food and drink standards.

โ€œIf the Tories wonโ€™t listen to the warnings from Scottish farmers right here in Moray, and across Scotland, then it is clear the only way to protect Scotlandโ€™s interests is as an independent, European nation.โ€

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