Angus South Constituency MSP Graeme Dey has noted with concern an externally commissioned report that was this week published by the Scottish Government which highlights the impact of potential scenarios of leaving the EU on the Scottish seafood industries.
The research found that all of the plausible trade scenarios modelled would leave Scotland worse off than the current situation as a member of the EU. It also found that any potential benefits from increased fishing quotas would reduce with increasing tariff and non-tariff measures once the UK leaves the European Single Market and the Customs Union.
Key findings showed:
- The overall impact of Brexit on the Scottish industry will likely be mixed, with any potential benefits from increased fishing quotas reducing with increasing tariff and non-tariff measures
- For example, farmed salmon – the UK’s most valuable food export – could experience a decrease in export value of between 4 to 6% in the absence of free trade with the EU
- Scotland’s aquaculture industry will be negatively impacted under all of the scenarios considered in the report
Whilst the research did not look at the issues of labour or the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, it is noted in the Scottish Government’s accompanying policy brief that the processing industry has already expressed concern that loss of non-UK EEA workers would affect the survival of some businesses. Scotland’s seafood processing industry relies on non-UK EEA workers for 58% of its labour force (rising to 70% in some areas such as Grampian). With regard to the EMFF, over the period 2014-2020 Scottish seafood industries and coastal communities will receive up to £150 million in EMFF grant funding and associated match funding.
Mr Dey commented:
“This considered report lays out the stark realities of Brexit for Scotland’s seafood sector.
“Leaving the single market and the customs union will have negative consequences for this important industry and it is therefore important that the Scottish Government’s position of remaining within the single market and customs union is pursued.
“At the heart of all of this of course also lies the matter of continuing access to EU workers, something the UK Government has failed miserably to address.”
