We welcome the newly agreed EU-UK deal as a positive step forward in reducing trade barriers and costs. The streamlined processes and removal of routine inspections for goods will significantly improve the flow of exports, enabling faster delivery times to our customers across the EU. This is a constructive outcome for many sectors of our economy, enhancing competitiveness and strengthening trading relationships.
However, we are deeply concerned about the 12-year agreement on fisheries access, which restricts new opportunities for Scotland’s fishing fleet to increase its catch. This outcome falls short of the broader economic potential that Brexit was meant to unlock for our coastal communities.
Given these constraints, it is now essential that our onshore seafood processing sector receives the support it needs to become more cost-efficient and to invest in workforce upskilling. Only by strengthening the entire supply chain – from sea to plate – can we ensure a resilient and profitable future for Scotland’s fishing industry.
