CONCERN is growing in the agricultural industry over plans by the UK government for a post-Brexit “internal market”, with fears it could threaten a range of devolved policies.

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It comes after NFU Scotland said the current proposals pose a “significant threat to the development of Common Frameworks and to devolution.”

President Andrew McCornick warned that the proposals "limit the devolved administrations’ ability to act if any standards were lowered and give the UK government a final say in areas of devolved policy, such as agriculture, the environment or animal health and welfare."

A coalition of 40 of Scotland’s leading environment charities also warned that the UK government’s plan to create a so-called UK internal market could seriously harm Scotland’s precious wildlife, landscape and food standards by dragging down standards.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has added his own expressions of concern as to the damage it could do to Scotland’s food and drink industry.

Mr Stevenson said: “The farming industry has delivered a damning verdict on the UK government’s plans for north-east farmers.

“It is apparent Tory proposals will create a regulatory race to the bottom which will threaten the sector.

“We simply cannot allow the UK government to impose lower food and environmental standards, and block Scotland from taking action in devolved areas.

“It would be completely unacceptable and must not happen. Despite claims to the contrary, this Tory government has proven time and time again that it cannot be trusted with the north-east’s farming industry.”

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