Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-17304, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s food and drink. 14:53

The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy (Fergus Ewing) SNP

I am pleased that the Parliament has set aside time today to discuss the implications for Scotland’s food and drink industry of the United Kingdom leaving th...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

Michael Gove gave evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee yesterday, and, when he was asked about the problems that face the sheep industry,...

Fergus Ewing SNP

Not only have we gone to him to discuss an appropriate compensation scheme, but we have had several discussions about the matter face to face, around the tab...

Fergus Ewing SNP

Yes. I thank Mr Mountain for the opportunity to put that on the record. Obviously, I do not wish to make any comment that could be construed as partisan or p...

Edward Mountain Con

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In my haste to get the cabinet secretary to correct a statement that he made, which he was unable to do, I failed to ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

It is on the record, Mr Mountain. 15:06

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which mentions my farming and fish farming interests and the fact that I am a non-executiv...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Donald Cameron Con

I do not have time, I am afraid. What grates for members on the Conservative benches is that one of the greatest threats to the growth of the food and drin...

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) SNP

The member feels that the agenda of this Parliament is being overtaken by constitutional matters. Is he aware just how little time the United Kingdom Parliam...

Donald Cameron Con

Of course Mr Allan would prefer to divert attention from the lack of ambition that his party and his Government show in this Parliament. That lack of ambitio...

Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Donald Cameron Con

I will take the intervention if I can, but I am not sure how many minutes I have left, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Not many.

Alex Rowley Lab

I thank Mr Cameron for giving way—he can have one of my minutes. Last summer, the farming industry, and fruit farmers in particular, found it very difficult...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I can give you up to eight minutes, Mr Cameron.

Donald Cameron Con

I am very grateful, Presiding Officer. My answer to Mr Rowley is that I hope that the UK and Scottish Governments can work together on a system that will he...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Like others, I want to highlight the economic benefit of the food and drink industry to Scotland. There is no doubt that Brexit looms large over the industry...

Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) SNP

I thought that the title of today’s debate was the “Impact of Brexit on Scotland’s Food and Drink”. I also thought that the member would have been able to su...

Rhoda Grant Lab

Indeed. Stopping the break-up of the United Kingdom assists the food and drink producers in my constituency. Interruption.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Excuse me, Ms Grant. I will not have shouting across the benches—it is not acceptable.

Rhoda Grant Lab

I simply ask the Scottish Government—come what may—to use its devolved powers to put us in a better place. It is simply wrong that, in a rich country, we hav...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I, too, welcome the opportunity to debate the impact that Brexit will have and, in many cases, is already having on our food and drink sector. In leaving th...

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

Food and drink are at the heart of our culture and traditions in Scotland. Generations of farmers and thousands of European Union workers have contributed to...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. 15:32

Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

It is now nearly seven weeks on from the date on which the UK was originally expected to leave the European Union. Many of us in this place simply cannot bel...

Peter Chapman (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I declare my registered interest as a partner in a farming business. In the Brexit referendum, I voted to remain. Nevertheless, as soon as I heard the resul...

Mike Rumbles LD

As we have heard, 70 per cent of the workforce in our food and drink industry comes from the EU. Given that, does Peter Chapman believe that it is worth keep...

Peter Chapman Con

We do not need free movement, but we do need to allow in the people who will grow our economy—and that is exactly what we will achieve. Accounting for aroun...