Tavish Scott, CEO of Salmon Scotland.
Photo: Salmon Scotland
Scotland's salmon sector has urged the Government to take action as measures to smooth trade flow and open new markets remain "painfully slow" ahead of next week’s fourth anniversary of leaving the EU.
According to the trade body Salmon Scotland, which represents the sector worth £766 million a year to the UK economy, the ongoing red tape has now cost an estimated £12 million extra since Brexit.
The problems identified by the trade body include the absence of new eCertification for export health certificates (EHCs) and the challenges caused by the current outdated system.
The salmon producers aim to export their product to Europe in an easier way. Consequently, they have piloted a successful electronic EHC system which shows what can be achieved.
In more detail, Salmon Scotland has calculated that post-Brexit paperwork costs salmon farming companies an extra £3 million a year since the UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020.
The development of smaller markets such as the Spanish and Dutch will open the chance for more investment and more high-skilled jobs in Scotland. The increase in demand in Asia can also have a positive impact on this aspect.
Regarding this, Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: "Four years on since Brexit, our farmers continue to face excessive red tape, while progress at smoothing trade flow and opening new markets remains painfully slow."
"Defra ministers need to urgently prioritize the largest food export, and I will be enlisting further support from other parts of government. International demand for Scottish salmon rightly considered the best in the world, is incredibly high – and with less bureaucracy, we could further grow exports," he added.
