SNP Westminster Rural Affairs spokesperson and MP for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East Seamus Logan has welcomed what he has described as a positive response from DEFRA Minister of State Daniel Zeichner on working towards resuming exports of Scottish seed potatoes to the EU.
Mr Logan met recently with the Minister on a range of issues including seed potato exports and followed-up in correspondence. Mr Zeichner confirmed that he wanted to see exports resuming “as soon as possible” and said he understood the disproportionate impact of the ban on Scotland.
Commenting, Seamus Logan MP said:
“Whilst this has clearly been a long-running issue created by Scotland being dragged out of the EU against its will, I am pleased that we finally have a Minister in place who – unlike the previous Conservative UK Government – seems to get the impact this has had on the Scottish seed potato sector. While exporters have not stood still and have proactively found new markets, that is not without cost.
“While there is still a distance to travel on this, I believe DEFRA now has the political will to make this a priority in a way which was sadly lacking previously. I will be monitoring progress and wish the Minister well in his endeavours.”
In his letter to Mr Logan, Minister of State Daniel Zeichner MP said:
“DEFRA is acutely aware of the issues that the continued EU prohibition of export of seed potatoes is causing our industry, despite the UK’s strong international reputation for producing high-quality material. I sympathise with your farming constituents on this matter. I also understand the disproportionate impact that the EU’s prohibition has had on Scotland.
“While it is our intention that a SPS agreement would resolve the import of GB seed potatoes into EU, we wish to get these goods back on the EU market as soon as possible, so we will continue to discuss progress on this specific application with the EU, under TCA processes.”
