Brexit news: salmon rockets in ‘Brexit victory’ after EU split | Politics | News

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Statistics published by HMRC revealed that 33,638 Metric Tons (MT) of fresh whole salmon were exported to the European Union in the first six months of 2021. The data revealed that the exports amounted to £134 million after a difficult period of severe trade disruption.

Compared to 2020, the total volume of exports increased by 63 percent while the value increased by 42 percent.

Tavis Scott, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organization (SSPO), has hailed the post-Brexit trade boom.

The head of the industry said he was now confident of a boom in trade after extra bureaucracy, paperwork, delays and confusion arising from Brexit left salmon farmers with costs of at least £11m initially.

Mr Scott added: “We are pleased to see such strong demand for our salmon internationally, demonstrating the importance of our sector as an economic driver of Scotland’s rural economy.

“The jobs and communities we have been able to support during this challenging year are a testament to the hard work and dedication of employees across the entire sector.

“Scottish salmon is truly an economic success story we can all be proud of.”

Elsewhere to the rest of the world, 16,977 metric tons of Scottish salmon were exported, valued at £119 million.

This volume was 54 percent higher than it was in 2020.

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“While we still wish to maintain an open dialogue on past export issues, it clearly shows that the UK fishing and processing industry is strengthening.”

But despite this success, the Scottish government in charge of fisheries is under pressure to rule out a formal agreement with the Greens.

Scottish Conservatives claimed it would be “disastrous” for their industry if the Greens were to formally participate in the Scottish government.

Rachel Hamilton, a rural affairs spokesman for the conservative Scottish Shadow party, said: “Salmon farmers are the latest in a long line of sectors lining up to express concerns about the Greens being at the heart of the Scottish government.

“It is not surprising that our rural industries are very concerned about this possibility.

“The Greens have consistently shown in the Scottish Parliament that they are not interested in defending vital jobs and livelihoods across rural communities in Scotland.

“These jobs will only be under greater threat if the chaotic alliance between them and their nationalist allies becomes a reality.”

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