Mairi Gougeon: Australia and New Zealand trade deals undermine Scottish farmers

The Australia and New Zealand trade deals are “hugely disappointing” and undermine Scottish farmers, a Scottish Government minister has said.

Rural Affairs Minister, Mairi Gougeon, said the deals would undercut domestic producers and allow foreign exporters unfettered access after a transition period.

In a letter to the UK’s Trade Policy Minister, Penny Morduant, she said farmgate prices for New Zealand beef were up to 30% lower than Scottish prices.

She also said Australian producers adhered to lower animal welfare standards than their UK counterparts.

The New Zealand agreement was signed in February, while the Australian agreement was signed in December.

The post-Brexit agreements are aimed at boosting trade and cut tariffs on imports to the UK.

In her letter, Ms Gougeon said: “It is not just the Scottish Government that is concerned with this trade deal.

“The view from industry is clear: trade deals that the UK Government have signed, which provide Australian and New Zealand exporters unfettered access to the UK market following a short transitional period, despite operating to lower cost and regulatory standards, will undercut domestic agri-food producers.”

She continued: “All in all, it is hugely disappointing that these first, from scratch, trade deals have compromised the interests of Scottish farmers, crofters and food producers so comprehensively and in so many different ways.

“These trade deals are evidentially not delivering the outcomes that people were promised if they voted to leave the EU.”