The SNP warns the plans are a threat to the farming sector.
The UK Government’s plans for a post-Brexit internal market could damage the agricultural sector, claims a north-east MSP.
Stewart Stevenson, the SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, warned proposals in a Westminster white paper could threaten a range of devolved policies and allow the import of lower standard foods into the UK.
It follows comments from NFU Scotland president, Andrew McCornick, that the current proposals could limit the devolved administrations’ ability to act if standards were lowered and give the UK Government a final say in areas of devolved policy, such as farming.
Mr Stevenson said: “We simply cannot allow the UK Government to impose lower food and environmental standards, and block Scotland from taking action in devolved areas.”
Scottish Conservative MSP for the north-east, Peter Chapman, disputed the claims and said: “The UK Government is protecting half a million Scottish jobs – many in Stewart Stevenson’s constituency – by ensuring there are no barriers to trade with the rest of the UK.”
