NFU Scotland has written to Lord Frost on need for equivalence to reduce crippling cost burden and bureaucracy.

NFU Scotland is calling on the UK Government to prioritise the substantial paperwork and physical inspections associated with agri-food trade to Europe that has resulted in friction, delay, losses and extra costs.

The Union has written to Lord Frost following his recent appointment as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office leading on post-Brexit strategy and UK chair of both the Partnership Council and the Joint Committee.

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“Scottish seed potato growers need to decide now if they are to plant the varieties wanted in Europe or instead plant the processing varieties that growers in England will need to replace those that have normally been sourced on the continent.  The seed potatoes grown in 2021 will be the raw material for the crops that will be grown in England and elsewhere in 2022. The sector therefore requires immediate clarity if the UK supply chain is to have any chance of adapting for this season and next.

“Of equal importance is the joint UK Farming Unions’ policy that seed potato trade with the EU must be reciprocal. The current derogation that allows EU seed potatoes to come into the UK until the end of June 2021 has, in NFU Scotland’s view, been unhelpful in encouraging an agreement on equivalence.  This asymmetrical arrangement is putting UK producers at a disadvantage and NFU Scotland is advocating strongly for this not to be extended.”