Salmon Scotland has written to the Prime Minister to raise concerns about the impact of a ‘trade war’ with Europe following a Commons statement from the Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss.
The trade body fears the changes to the Northern Ireland protocol could undo the hard work of the sector to drive up exports to the EU in recent months.
“Any deterioration in relationships between London and Brussels which leads to friction at the border, delays and queues for hauliers crossing to France or extra costs for our exporters could put us back to where we were at the start of last year when exports were in chaos,” wrote chief executive Tavish Scott in his letter to Boris Johnson.
“The Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, announced moves which could very well place considerable strain on the relationship between the UK and the EU,” the letter continued. “We urge you - and all in your government - to keep talking to Europe and to find ways of securing an amicable and consensual agreement to this dispute over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Scott has also held talks with Defra and pointed out that, “Our members have been working closely with officials in Defra on the full digitisation of the certification scheme for exports to the EU.
“We believe this will make a significant difference and make it easier for exporters to get their goods to the continent. I would urge you to throw your efforts behind that process.
“We are urging you today not to do anything that puts the UK on a collision course with Europe. That really is the last thing our exporters need at this time,” he concluded.
