Question reference: S5W-06424
- Asked by: Maree Todd, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 23 January 2017
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Current status: Answered by Michael Russell on 31 January 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether the seasonal workers from the EU who work in Scotland's agriculture sector will face barriers to employment after the UK leaves the EU.
Answer
We know that the UK vote to leave the EU has created significant uncertainty within the agriculture sector and we need to ensure the continued protection of the rights of all workers employed in Scotland’s rural economy.
The Scottish Government’s paper 'Scotland's Place in Europe' sets out our view that full membership of the European Single Market and Customs Union is the best outcome not just for Scotland but for the whole of the UK. Remaining part of the single market means retaining freedom of movement - the two things are indivisible.
The First Minister has repeatedly called on the Prime Minister to stop using human beings as bargaining chips. These calls have also been heard in the Scottish Parliament, where members have expressed concern over the UK Government's failure to guarantee our fellow EU nationals' right to remain in the UK.
There have been discussions and exchanges with the UK Government on freedom of movement including those in the Joint Ministerial Committee on European Negotiations which I attend alongside representatives of the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive. The Committee met most recently on the 19 of January 2017.
Unfortunately, despite our consistent representations to the UK Government on this issue, the Prime Minister still refuses to deliver this guarantee, despite having the power to do so.
The Scottish Government appreciates the importance of obtaining a guaranteed right to remain for EU nationals and we will continue to strongly support this.