Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2019
16 May 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Brexit (Impact on Food and Drink)
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 result, I was committed to make it happen. Unfortunately, we all underestimated how difficult Brexit would be; as of now, we have, obviously, not left and we do not know what deal will gain Parliamentary support.
I want to leave with the only deal on the table, as do NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and virtually the whole business community, but uncertainty abounds. Most of us agree that we do not want a no-deal Brexit. Let me be clear that the only sure way to avoid a no-deal Brexit is to vote for the deal that is on the table.
Our food and drink industry is a vital part of our economy. Since 2007, the industry has grown by 44 per cent to £14 billion. Our exports are up 56 per cent and are worth £5.5 billion. The food and drink industry has grown at twice the rate of the rest of the manufacturing economy. That is a great success story for Scotland. To be honest, it is no surprise that our food and drink industry has grown at that rate, because we have such a diverse natural environment and some of the best farmers, businesspeople and fishermen in the world.
In the same item of business
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...