MSP warns of challenging future for seed potato farmers
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Seed potato farmers in the north-east have warned urgent support is needed for the sector which has faced exclusion from exporting to EU markers in Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit.
The issue was raised by Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon in the Scottish Parliament.
Following the Brexit transition period, the UK was classified as a “third country” and under EU Commission rules “sensitive products” – which seed potatoes and ware are classified as – require separate technical listings for trade to be allowed from third countries.
The Northern Ireland Protocol means that in addition to exports to the EU, movement of seed potatoes from GB to Northern Ireland is also banned.
Calling on the Scottish Government, Ms Martin said: “Seed potato merchants in my constituency have been in touch with me to ask for my support for their letter to the Prime Minister as they face exclusion for exporting to EU markets in Northern Ireland as a result of the Brexit deal.
“My constituent says there’s been no attempt by the UK Government to protect them and they’ve instead allowed EU imports to England, Wales and Northern Ireland of seed potatoes.
“Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary what communication the Scottish Government has had with their UK Government counterparts on this and how they are assisting the seed potato sector so vital to the north-east rural economy?”
Ms Gougeon said the seed potato and ware sector was a “vital industry” particularly in the north-east of Scotland.
She said: “I think regrettably it’s another example of where a Scottish industry is being disproportionately impacted by EU exit and it’s also an example of the UK Government’s failure to secure, through negotiations with the EU, an outcome which could have protected this key Scottish industry as far as possible from the impacts of EU exit.”
Ms Gougeon added that finding a solution was “an absolute priority” for the Scottish Government and said concerns had been raised with UK Government counterparts about the issue.
The Cabinet Secretary added: “The Scottish Government has written to the Defra Secretary of State to request an urgent update on progress with the UK equivalents application with the EU for our seed potatoes as well as to seek assurance that Scottish seed potato producers will not will not be placed at a commercial disadvantage over suppliers from the EU supplying seed to ware potato growers in England while we do not have that reciprocal trade with the EU.”
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said: “Once again the UK Government have let down farmers who have been disproportionately impacted by Brexit. It is clear farmers in the north-east are really worried about their future business.
“It was clear in the build-up to Brexit this would be an issue for seed potato farmers who were simply ignored. Despite promises from the UK Government that Brexit would offer prosperity and opportunity for businesses, farmers have been left in limbo.
“I would urge the UK Government to listen to the voices of farmers who desperately want a resolution to this issue which allows them to trade and creates a balance which does not end in the future risk of businesses in the north-east.”
