Scottish salmon sector welcomes new government’s stance on exports

Speaking on broadcaster Sky News, Reynolds said: “If we can sell more whisky, more salmon, to a market which is so significant to us, of course we should explore an opportunity like that – and I think moving forward to… a relationship to Europe that is not determined by the internal politics of the Conservative Party is very much in the national interest in the UK.”

Trade body Salmon Scotland has welcomed the announcement. In its own pre-election manifesto, the organisation called for a “serious, pragmatic approach to the UK’s relationship with the EU, with a clear focus on the nation’s export businesses which depend on a positive, professional relationship with France and the other countries of the EU”.

Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott commented: “As the UK’s largest food export, there is huge potential to grow Scotland’s economy by resetting the relationship with the EU and focusing on exports of world-renowned produce like Scottish salmon.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Jonathan Reynolds has immediately recognised how important this is, sending a clear signal that the new government is committed to our sector and the growth of Scottish salmon. We look forward to working with the new government to promote Scotland on the global stage.”

Scottish salmon is the UK’s most popular fish and the country’s biggest and most valuable food export, with international sales of around GBP 600 million to more than 50 countries annually.

It’s also estimated the salmon sector adds more than GBP 760 million to the economy every year. At the same time, it spends GBP 370 million, supporting 3,600 suppliers across Scotland.

More than 2,500 people are directly employed in salmon farming throughout the country, with 10,000 jobs dependent on the sector.