EU reset deal expected to be net benefit for Scottish farming

Scotland’s farming sector should see an overall net benefit from a new UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, although concerns remain over mycotoxin limits, livestock identification and animal health rules, says NFU Scotland (NFUS).

The agreement, due to be confirmed at the UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November, will see Great Britain align with EU rules covering plant and animal health, aspects of animal welfare, organics and food labelling.

See also: UK:EU reset deals spells danger warns NFU

In a new blog post, NFUS policy manager Kate Adams says the deal should reduce trade barriers and costs for Scottish red meat and dairy exports, while allowing seed potato exports to the EU to resume.

She also welcomed expected improvements to country of origin labelling and protection against Brazilian meat imports that do not meet equivalent production standards.

However, the union warns that the implications of regulatory alignment remained uncertain in several areas.

Mycotoxins are a particular concern for Scottish oat growers, as the EU has lower legal maximum limits for certain mycotoxins in cereals used for food and drink processing than Great Britain.

NFUS says the UK supply chain has not yet needed to test against these lower limits, leaving the full implications unclear.

Scotland’s wet, mild climate could increase the risk of mycotoxin contamination in oats, making flexibility and sufficient transition periods important.

Electronic identification

The union also wants progress on ultra-high frequency electronic identification (UHF-EID), which it has advocated for more than 20 years.

It believes EU legislation allows its introduction and has urged both governments to support its adoption.

On animal health, NFUS raised concerns about stricter EU rules on antimicrobial use, bovine tuberculosis and avian influenza.

It says further alignment on antimicrobial use is unnecessary given the UK’s low usage and has called for proportionate implementation of any new requirements to avoid unnecessary burdens on farmers.

In addition, the NFUS has also stressed the need for meaningful opportunities for UK and Scottish farmers to influence future EU regulations if Great Britain is to continue aligning with the EU’s rules.

“We recognise the opportunities that the SPS agreement could bring,” said Ms Adams in her blog. “However, these benefits must not come at the expense of Scottish farming and crofting realities.”