Representatives of Scotland’s seafood sector this week met with Michael Gove, U.K. secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, and senior officials to discuss planning for a potential no-deal Brexit.
Issues discussed in the London meeting included certification, potential transport holdups and compensation for extra tariff barriers placed on U.K. exports to the EU.
“Seafood is perishable so it is imperative that no extra barriers are placed in the way of its access to market,” said Scottish Seafood Association’s Jimmy Buchan after the meeting. “We are now hopeful Mr. Gove will work with his colleagues across the U.K. government to make sure access remains as swift and as easy in the future as it is now.”
“Scottish seafood rightly enjoys an enviable reputation for quality and availability in European markets,” added Hamish Macdonell, director of strategic engagement at the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO). “As representatives of all seafood sectors, farmed and caught, we made it clear to the UK government that we are determined to ensure this continues, even if the U.K. leaves the E.U. without a deal.”
“We held a constructive meeting with Mr. Gove and his senior officials and while we appreciate the preparatory work that has been already been undertaken, we believe more has to be done to protect seafood exports to the continent if no Brexit deal is agreed,” Macdonell said.
Scottish salmon is the United Kingdom’s most valuable food export, with overseas sales of GBP 206.5 million (USD 258.9 million, EUR 229.9 million) in the first-quarter of 2019, up 40.9 percent or GBP 59.9 million (USD 75.1 million, EUR 66.7 million) year-on-year.
