A farming union has warned International Trade Secretary Liam Fox not to undercut Scotland's Unique Selling Point when it comes to trading with other countries.
NFU Scotland has written to Dr Fox urging equivalence in standards and no trade shocks.
Andrew McCornick, NFU Scotland President, has reached out to the Trade Secretary following recent trade talks he has held with Australia and New Zealand to highlight the priorities of the agri-food sector in the development of bilateral deals.
In the letter, Mr McCornick highlighted concern with recent media reports that the Australasian nations would not agree to divide usage of Tariff Rate Quota’s for agri-food products on historic lines after Brexit.
He said it was a development which could have severe implications for significant sectors of Scotland’s red meat industry in particular.
Mr McCornick said: “Following on from the UK Government’s talks with Australian and New Zealand officials, I have extended an invitation to Mr Fox to meet with me to discuss the UK Government’s position towards future trading partners.
“We need to make sure that we are seeking the best possible deal for farmers when negotiating trade agreements with foreign nations. Food and drink is the biggest income generator to the Scottish economy, with Scotland’s farmers and crofters as the bedrock to that industry.
“It is vital that discussions on future trade deals do not take this for granted. I can say in no uncertain terms that the economic prosperity of the islands, villages and towns across Scotland and the UK are linked to profitable food production.”
Mr McCornick said international trade deals should not undercut Scotland’s "extremely high standards" of production, and which allow farmers to maximise the provenance of the product which he says is a Unique Selling Point in foreign markets.
“Whatever future trade deal is found for farming, food and drink, it must be bespoke to the Scottish and UK situation,” he explained.
“The tenor of recent discussions with New Zealand and Australian delegates is a concern to me, I hope to discuss with Mr Fox the strong need to push for a deal which prioritises food production and directly benefits farmers and those in rural communities.”
