In the trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, no provision has been made for the enforcement of British exports of seed potatoes. This is a setback for Scottish potato growers who had counted on the unhindered continuation of their twenty percent export to continental Europe.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is furious and calls the outcome 'disastrous.' She accuses the British government of having sold the Scots in the EU short.
The seed potato is a valuable export product for Scotland. The sector is estimated to be worth more than 124 million euros. The wet, cold climate is suitable for the complex cultivation. As a result, Mediterranean countries form an important market for Scottish farmers. One fifth of the exports are destined for Europe.
The European Union cites as the reason for excluding the crop that British regulations 'are not aligned with Europe.' The EU wants to avoid less stringent British rules leading to unfair competition. The Netherlands and Belgium are also important suppliers of seed potatoes.
In the final phase of the Brexit trade treaty, fisheries became the ultimate stake. This will deliver a significant blow to Dutch and European fisheries. Over five and a half years, the volume for fisheries in British waters will be reduced to an average of 75%.
Dutch Member of the European Parliament Peter van Dalen (Christian Union) is vice-chairman of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee: "Due to the agreement made now, new negotiations on fisheries after the transition period of just over five years will have to start within just a few years. That is extraordinarily fast. For solid business operations with the associated investments, a fisheries company should be able to plan at least ten years ahead."