Praise and pelters for Starmer’s EU trade deal
The deal struck at this week’s UK-EU Summit has been welcomed by Scotland’s salmon producers – but condemned by the fishing sector.
The long-trailed “reset” of post-Brexit relations between the UK and European Union has been set out in a jointly published “Common Understanding”. As well as important accords on issues such as energy, security and defence and youth mobility, the agreement includes a commitment to cut red tape on cross-border trade in food.
The so-called “SPS Agreement” is aimed at creating a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone within which the UK and EU would effectively operate the same standards on safety for plant and animal products.
Under a “dynamic alignment” model, in order to stay in the zone the UK would have to accept future changes in EU SPS standards. The EU has conceded that the UK will be consulted on future changes, but unlike EU member states it will not have a vote or a veto.
Once the details are thrashed out, the SPS Zone would mean:
- Removal of Export Health Certificates, with an estimated saving of up to £200 per consignment. A single lorry carrying a mixed load of animal products could see thousands of pounds in savings, the UK Government said.
- Removal of Certificates of Inspection for organic products that will save more than £120 per consignment.
- An end to routine border checks for agri-food products. UK exports such as seafood, dairy and eggs, currently subject to 100% paperwork checks and 30% physical checks, would see these removed.
- British products that were banned, such as fresh sausages and burgers, certain shellfish from domestic waters, and seed potatoes will be able to resume trade to the EU, the UK Government said.
- Moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be easier, reducing the need for paperwork and checks due to the removal of SPS and other requirements
Salmon industry hails breakthrough
Trade body Salmon Scotland, which represents the UK’s biggest food export, said the UK–EU trade deal would reduce costly delays and red tape that have cost salmon export companies an estimated £3 million a year since Brexit.
The trade body’s chief executive, Tavish Scott, was attending a business reception hosted by the Prime Minister in London on Monday.
France is the biggest market for Scottish salmon, with 500 lorryloads crossing the Channel daily. Salmon Scotland also pointed to growth potential in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, where demand is rising despite tough competition from Norway and Chile.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “We congratulate the UK Government on securing this deal with the EU, which will slash red tape and speed up the delivery of our premium salmon to market.
“This breakthrough eases the burden on our farmers, processors and the communities they support, and we welcome efforts to implement it at pace.
“The withdrawal of physical checks is particularly welcome. It means lower costs and quicker deliveries for our customers…we look forward to rebuilding trade ties across Europe and will continue to press for freer access to the US and other markets to support jobs and growth in our coastal communities.”
‘Detail is king’
National Farmers Union President Tom Bradshaw also welcomed the deal but struck a note of caution, warning that “detail is king”.
He said: “There remain important questions about what is within the scope of this agreement and, where current rules and regulations do differ, if there will be any exclusions. As negotiations in this area continue, it’s vital that our government safeguards the progress we have made in policy areas such as precision breeding to enable the farming sector to continue to move forward in sustainable, resilient and innovative food production.”
The UK-EU deal was not welcome in all quarters, however. It extends the current, notionally temporary access to British waters for EU fishing fleets for another 12 years without further negotiation, which the fishing sector has condemned as a betrayal.
Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “This deal is a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement.
“It is clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen and coastal communities, granting EU vessels 12 years of continuous access to UK waters at the last minute in order secure other objectives.
“This highlights the total indifference of the British political establishment to the interests of our fishing sector, with Sir Keir becoming the third prime minister after Edward Heath and Johnson to betray the industry.
“Any attempt by either the UK or EU to portray the new deal as a continuation of existing arrangements would be a lie, because in fact the Trade and Co-operation Agreement paved the way for annual access negotiations from 2026.
“At the weekend, Sir Keir said the deal would be measured against how much it would improve job prospects and allow our communities to flourish.
“Giving away a national asset such as our rich and healthy fishing grounds for no discernible benefit not only fails both of these tests, but is a disgrace that will ensure the enmity of this proud industry for many years to come.”
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