Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is clear that maintaining Scotland’s high food and environmental standards is of paramount importance, and that any trade deal not protecting these standards risks our reputation for provenance and quality. The NFU President Minette Batters recently stated that it would be “insane” to allow food onto our shelves, produced at a standard which is currently illegal in the UK” and we agree with that sentiment.

I have repeatedly raised the importance of Scotland’s globally recognised food safety and animal welfare standards not being sacrificed in order to secure trade deals with UK Government counterparts. Scottish Ministers have also repeatedly made the case to the UK Government that it should accept proposed amendments to the UK Agriculture Bill which would prohibit imports of agricultural and food products where the relevant standards are lower than those in the UK. It is deeply disappointing that the UK Government has refused to accept the opportunity to safeguard these standards in legislation. The Scottish Government believe that enshrining such safeguards in legislation is the only real way to guarantee standards in both current and future trade deals.

While leading trade negotiations is a reserved matter, Scottish Ministers are responsible for implementing international agreements. Within this context, the Scottish Government is using all available legislative avenues to ensure that our right to regulate is maintained and to protect both farmers and consumers. Through the Continuity bill, we are seeking to include provisions which will allow us to align Scottish law with EU law in areas of devolved competence, including on environmental, animal welfare, plant health and food standards. We will take every opportunity to ensure current standards are maintained and enhanced.