Following the impact of Brexit on the UK’s fishing sector, Seafood Scotland has assembled a new exporting team to help tackle administration issues which have damaged trade to Europe since the end of the transition period.
Seafood Scotland had previously cited a lack of clarity over new border controls, issues with new trading systems and confusion with authorities as reasons for major price drops and border delays. Donna Fordyce, chief executive at Seafood Scotland, said the sector had been pushed to “rock bottom” as a result of the issues.
In response to the difficulties, Seafood Scotland has appointed a team of exporting consultants to help get the flow of trade to Europe back on track.
The team consists of Alan Kennedy and Steve Galloway, who will bring exporting experience from both a supplier and a customer perspective, according to Seafood Scotland.
Funded through the Scottish Government and Scotland’s Food and Drink’s joint Recovery Plan, the team will work closely with companies to help them better understand the new business practices to export to the EU and Northern Ireland, including the customs and export certification processes.
“The seafood sector has been devastated by this poor Brexit deal and we cannot wait for the UK Government to solve the administrative problems they have created.”
Donna Fordyce commented: “The landmark funding from the Scottish Government has been welcomed by the sector and we’re pleased that we could get a team in place so quickly.
“The first two appointments are armed with decades of industry experience and are ready to hit the ground running by immediately starting in their roles and tackling the most pertinent issues. However there remains issues inherent to the system in place and therefore we are continuing to request a grace period so that the UK and EU can resolve these without it having a negative impact on trade in the meantime.
“Once these most immediate problems have been resolved, our team will then start to look at the bigger picture to establish how businesses can adapt and indeed thrive in the new post-Brexit era.”
Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, said: “The seafood sector has been devastated by this poor Brexit deal and we cannot wait for the UK Government to solve the administrative problems they have created.
“Our focus is on resolving the issues around exports and making sure the process runs as smoothly as possible which is why as an immediate priority, we are funding these new posts to provide in-depth expert support to exporters across Scotland and help them navigate the new and onerous processes. We continue to back calls from our food and drink businesses for a six-month ‘grace period’ to allow exporters more time to digest the outcome of negotiations on a trade deal and prepare as best as they can.”
Photograph: Rural economy secretary, Fergus Ewing.
