Top minister seeks guarantee that post Brexit protective status for foods such as Scottish Farmed Salmon will continue as Britain seeks new trade deals.
Scottish National Party MP and Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has written a letter to the cabinet highlighting the deep concern and the lack of clarity for many Scottish producers and businesses.
Geographical Indications are signs that are used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities. Scottish Farmed Salmon have been given special protection have protected geographical status under European law.
In 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union however 62% of Scottish voters backed Remain.
In 2016, Liz Truss, then Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said she would “like to see a British protected food name status in the future”. But since then the government has given limited guidance to the sector as to what to expect in post-Brexit Britain when it leaves on the 29 March 2019.
Ewing said that UK Government must make sure the products are at the forefront of future trade negotiations.
“The time is right for us to see some concrete assurances from the UK Government that not only do you consider GIs and protection of our world-renowned produce of great importance and will seek to continue the protection offered by holding the status, but that the UK Government will give them their rightful place at the forefront of future trade negotiations.”
