The SNP has said a Tory plot to scrap food standards to strike a
post-Brexit trade deal with Donald Trump are a 'huge threat' to
Scotland's food safety and economy.
, SNP International Trade
spokesperson, said reports is planning to use so-called Henry
VIII powers to impose the move, would risk seeing consumers faced
with the likes of chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef
imports, while also undermining the value of quality Scottish
produce, and the vital success of Scotland's booming food and
drink industry – hitting businesses and costing jobs.
The MP for Dundee East called for the UK government to
immediately rule out the plans, and said the plot exposed the
'damaging reality' of the Tory power grab on Scotland.
Commenting MP, SNP International Trade
spokesperson, said:
“Scotland has stringent food safety standards, in line with the
rest of the EU, protecting consumers and helping our producers of
high-quality food and drink.
“But all that is now under threat as the Tories plot to rip up
those standards after Brexit just to placate Donald Trump.
“That threatens to usher in imports of chlorinated chicken,
hormone-injected beef, and who knows what else.
“It would also damage the livelihoods of Scottish farmers, and
threaten the success of our booming food and drink industry.
“The huge threat to Scotland’s economy and devolution settlement
from a Tory extreme Brexit is becoming clearer by the day.
“By undermining the value of quality Scottish produce, and
risking our access to the EU market of 500 million consumers, the
UK government would cause long-lasting harm to our food and drink
sector - hitting businesses and destroying jobs across Scotland.
"These plans reveal the damaging reality of the Tory power grab
on the Scottish Parliament. The mask has slipped, and the UK
government's motives for ripping up the devolution settlement to
steal powers back to Westminster have been exposed.
"The UK government must immediately rule-out any attempt to scrap
or water-down Scottish food standards, and ditch its plans for a
hard Brexit before it is too late."
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
SNP Westminster Press Office - 02072190074, snpmedia@snpmedia.net
'Liam Fox is plotting to scrap EU food standards to win a Brexit
trade deal with Trump' -
https://www.businessinsider.nl/liam-fox-trade-deal-scrap-european-union-food-standards-after-brexit-2018-9/?international=true&r=US