Meeting of the Parliament 29 April 2015
I am quite happy to give an undertaking that we will look at those issues.
The removal of tariffs will help Scottish businesses export to the US market.
Secondly, we would see positive developments in relation to improved co-operation as unnecessary regulatory barriers would be removed.
Thirdly, in evidence to us, Scottish Enterprise highlighted the importance of US investment in Scotland and suggested that a trade agreement could provide further inward investment. Any inward investment in Scotland is positive for our economy.
In addition to the potential positive developments, there are negative issues, as we have heard. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy acknowledged in evidence to the committee that TTIP
“can open up our markets here in the same way as it opens up markets to which we hope to gain access.”—[Official Report, European and External Relations Committee, 5 February 2015; c 28.]
However, until the agreement has been finalised, we will not know which sectors will benefit and which will not. That is why the committee recommends that the Scottish Government assess the impact of the final agreement and work with businesses across Scotland and the enterprise agencies to follow developments in relation to TTIP very carefully.
Another area of debate is on public services. Despite assurances from Lord Livingston, we agreed that the protection of public services, particularly our health service, is important. Investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement are vital issues, and the committee will follow developments on them.
NFU Scotland told the committee that it was concerned that there would be an
“erosion over the course of time”—[Official Report, European and External Relations Committee, 27 November 2014; c 26.]
in relation to food standards. Similarly, the World Development Movement was worried about the “watering down” of regulation to protect health, workers and the environment. Those areas will be discussed in future rounds of negotiation and need a watchful eye kept on them.
I emphasise that the debate is not the end of the committee’s work on TTIP. The recommendations that are set out in our report and have been debated today represent our initial position on the matter. The committee has agreed to conduct further inquiry work on TTIP, particularly to explore issues relating to ISDS and public services. Public services are an important element for us. Of all the elements that have been discussed, protecting the health service and other such services is of particular concern to us. It is important that the implications of the agreement for Scotland continue to be scrutinised through the committee’s deliberations.
I am grateful for all the evidence that we received. People went to great lengths to give us written submissions and, as has been mentioned, we have received a lot of emails. The feeling and depth of concern in Scotland about TTIP have been made clear. A lot of people want us to give the issue our very best scrutiny and to continue that work. The committee is committed to continuing the programme to the best of our abilities. We will continue to get support from industry. We perhaps need to concentrate more on some of the agencies that provide information for us on industries, to ensure that we continue the good work that has been done to date.
I am proud, as I am sure my convener is, of all the evidence that we have received, as well as the emails that we continue to receive from constituents. They have given us a great deal of insight and have proven that there are concerns out there. Despite the fact that we do not have a direct input into the TTIP agreement, we nevertheless have a responsibility to pass on the concerns to all concerned to ensure that they are taken into account when, at long last, it comes to making an agreement.