Scottish MPs have written to the UK and European governments urging them to end the deadlock which is currently preventing the free movement of seed potatoes between the UK and the EU.
The letter was sent by politicians representing the constituencies of Stirling, Gordon and Angus to both the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, and to European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, asking them to address the issue with new impetus. And restore the trade which was previously worth some £3.3 billion in export sales.
In the letter, Richard Thomson MP, Alyn Smith MP and Dave Doogan MP said it was ‘deeply concerning’ that Scotland’s farmers were unable to export seed potatoes to the EU. “As you may know, potatoes grown in Europe are vulnerable to developing diseases which ultimately render the crops unsuitable,” they write. “Without ready access to an ongoing supply of the disease-free seed potato crop which Scotland can produce, there will be a steady diminution in quality of the potatoes able to be grown in the EU, which will begin to affect EU farmers, food producers and ultimately, consumers as well.”
They continued, “We believe that there would be an overwhelming mutual benefit for both the UK and the EU if a way could be found to swiftly remove the current barriers to trade in this important sector.
“There is a strong desire amongst farmers and food producers alike in the EU to once again be able to import high quality Scottish seed potatoes. That desire is entirely reciprocated by the Scottish producers, who once again wish to be able to meet that demand.”
