Question reference: S5W-06427
- Asked by: Maree Todd, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 23 January 2017
-
Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 3 February 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding what the impact would be of introducing common standards and frameworks for the UK domestic market after the UK leaves the EU on any further devolution of powers over agriculture and fisheries.
Answer
No detailed discussions on the impact of common standards and frameworks have been undertaken with the UK Government. In the event that the UK Government refuses to protect our interests by remaining in the Single Market, however, common standards will be a key issue. While we would continue to meet common standards immediately after Brexit, we are clear that the potential for divergence thereafter may result in either unacceptable increases in costs and burdens on business or an unacceptable race to the bottom in terms of standards. That is why the Scottish Government continues to believe that retaining Single Market access is the best outcome for the UK as a whole.
The Scottish Government has made clear, however, that it will not accept the creation of UK frameworks post-Brexit without its consent, particularly in relation to devolved competencies