Stirling MP Alyn Smith and local Councillor Evelyn Tweed have expressed concerns regarding reports of valuable produce rotting at the border due to Brexit costs, red tape and bureaucracy.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds of meat exporters from the UK to the EU have been stuck in ports in recent weeks as the UK Tory’s Government’s Brexit Deal has resulted in new goods paperwork for Scotland’s food and drink industry.
The British Meat Processors Association warned meat exports to the EU are at 20% of normal levels.
Such events will have a knock-on effect to Stirling’s economy, with local farmers, producers and exporters facing disruption. Local politicians are backing calls for the UK Government to compensate the industry and businesses affected.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:
‘Stirling’s food and drink industry – from farm to plate – has some of the world’s best quality produce. It is a sorry state of affairs when the UK Government’s Brexit rhetoric has met reality, and it’s our farmers, producers and exporters who are left to pick up the pieces.
‘It’s absurd to point the finger at businesses for a lack of preparation – local businesses were given mere days of notice before new finalised export arrangements came into force. The UK Government must step up to the plate and ensure no local Stirling business is out of pocket because of Tory recklessness.’
Local Councillor Evelyn Tweed said:
‘Stirling is one of Scotland’s food and drink powerhouses. For decades we’ve built up a reputation based on great quality produce, and this progress is now under threat from disastrous Brexit disruption.
‘Stirling’s local businesses were given minimal notice of new export arrangements before they came into force, and even by following the maze of red-tape there still remains issues – leading to the damning scenes of rotten meat shipments played out in ports across the EU. It’s not good enough, and Stirling’s local businesses facing similar barriers deserve better.’
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