EU markets access ‘essential’

New research suggests that Brexit could cause significant harm to Scotland’s seafood industries if the UK does not remain in the single market and the customs union.

The study commissioned by the Scottish Government to understand possible impacts on the seafood sector examined hypothetical scenarios for the UK’s exit from the European Union including changes to fishing quota shares and the impact of different types of international trade on the industry.

The research found:

• All of the plausible trade scenarios modelled would leave Scotland worse off than the current situation as a member of the EU
• Any increase in fishing quotas would be offset by increasing tariff and non-tariff measures once the UK leaves the European single market and customs union
• Remaining in the single market and the customs union is the least worst outcome for the sector

• Farmed salmon – the UK’s most valuable food export – could experience a decrease in export value of between 4 to 6% in the absence of free trade with the EU
• Under all of the scenarios Scotland’s aquaculture industry would be negatively impacted

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“This report confirms that reduced access to EU markets could significantly harm Scotland’s seafood industries, with those parts of our sector reliant on the speedy supply of fresh product to European markets particularly at risk.

“The modelling of these four different scenarios highlights the complexities of Brexit for our seafood industry and in the absence of full EU membership, maintaining membership of the European Single Market and remaining in a customs union is the ‘least worst’ outcome for our fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors.

“The report also suggests that there is unlikely to be an immediate gain for the fishing industry with any quota increases for the fleet only likely to be achieved through international agreement following negotiation over time with coastal state partners, and those economic gains could be reduced through the impact of tariffs on trade.

“We will therefore continue to push to remain in the European Single Market and a customs union with the EU which is essential to protect and support the Scottish seafood sector, both at sea and onshore. We will also reiterate our calls for the UK Government to guarantee that it will not bargain away access to Scottish waters and resources to secure other UK interests.”

Background

 The Economic Impacts of Scenarios for Scottish and UK Seafood Industries Post EU Exit report.

The Scottish Government has been clear that any deal around EU Exit should ensure a balanced settlement; one that recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Scottish fishing fleet but which also takes account of the interests of other seafood sectors, the needs of our rural and coastal communities more generally, the marine environment, and wider national interests such as on-going access to key markets and strong international relations. 

The plausible scenarios include three of the scenarios where the UK ends free trade with the EU, and some level of tariffs and non-tariff measures apply on products exported to the EU.  They exclude the scenario with free trade with all countries of the world.