The Labour Party won a big majority in the UK’s general election last week. What does this mean for the country’s salmon farming sector?
The UK’s new Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has pledged the Labour government’s support for exploring opportunities to increase Scottish salmon exports to the EU, a move welcomed by the trade body Salmon Scotland.
In a statement made on Sky News on Sunday, Reynolds emphasized the importance of boosting exports of key Scottish products like whisky and salmon to significant markets.
“If we can sell more whisky, more salmon, to a market which is so significant to us, of course we should explore an opportunity like that – and I think moving forward to… a relationship to Europe that is not determined by the internal politics of the Conservative Party is very much in the national interest in the UK,” Reynolds said.
Salmon Scotland, which had called for a pragmatic approach to the UK’s relationship with the EU in its election manifesto, responded positively to the announcement.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, commented, “As the UK’s largest food export, there is huge potential to grow Scotland’s economy by resetting the relationship with the EU and focusing on exports of world-renowned produce like Scottish salmon. I’m absolutely delighted that Jonathan Reynolds has immediately recognized how important this is, sending a clear signal that the new government is committed to our sector and the growth of Scottish salmon. We look forward to working with the new government to promote Scotland on the global stage.”
