4. To ask the First Minister, in light of reported concerns regarding food labelling being a devolved matter, what the Scottish Government’s position is on what impact the United Kingdom Government’s reported plans to roll out “not for EU” labelling on food and drink products across the whole of the UK could have on Scotland’s food and drink industry. (S6F-02729)

The Government shares the well-documented concerns about those labelling plans that have been highlighted by the Food and Drink Federation Scotland and many food and drink businesses. Mairi Gougeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, wrote to her UK Government counterpart before Christmas for much-needed clarification on its plans. However, my understanding is that she has not had the courtesy of a response as yet. We will continue to press the UK Government for answers, not least on the question of why it is insisting on pursuing a policy that would arbitrarily add costs to all agri-food businesses, not just those that trade specifically with Northern Ireland. The move is disproportionate and wholly inappropriate, particularly when consumers are already bearing the burden of added food costs. Frankly, it is just another example of Conservative chaos harming our economy.

I agree with the First Minister about the impact and the harm that the plans will cause many Scottish food and drink businesses. Does the First Minister also agree that, although the labelling may be needed for goods that are being traded with Northern Ireland, there is no rationale for it in relation to trade with other countries? Has the Westminster Government shared why it intends to impose the regime?

The First Minister:

No, it has not. We have written to the UK Government, but we have had not had the courtesy of a response. There is no real evidence or convincing argument as to why the labelling requirement is necessary.

Food and drink stakeholders in Scotland, who have added so much to our economy, are absolutely scathing about the UK Government’s plans. The Food and Drink Federation’s director for growth, Balwinder Dhoot, said:

“Our members are really clear that the Government’s plan to extend ‘not for EU’ product labelling on a UK-wide basis will hamper growth, hitting investment, exports and jobs while increasing consumer prices and restricting the choice of products”.

The evidence is clear, as is the independent analysis. Brexit is damaging our economy, which is why it is utterly unforgivable that no UK-based party is standing up against Brexit, or even proposing that we rejoin the single market, which is seven times the size of the UK. The people of Scotland should be given a choice—

The Presiding Officer:

Briefly, First Minister.

The First Minister:

—as to whether they want to stay in broken Brexit Britain, or whether we want to make decisions for ourselves as an independent nation that is in the European Union.

The UK Government is going to launch a consultation on a new food labelling scheme that will ensure that consumers know what they are buying: high quality British produce, rather than imported goods that do not meet UK welfare standards. Does the First Minister support that move? Can he explain how he expects Scottish farmers and fishermen to continue to provide high welfare food that meets environmental standards when his Scottish National Party budget is cutting £46 million from the rural affairs portfolio?

The First Minister:

This is another Brexit burden for businesses in Scotland to bear, even though we did not vote for Brexit—[

Interruption

.]

The Presiding Officer:

Let us hear the First Minister.

The First Minister:

The damage and burdens of Brexit are being imposed on our businesses up and down Scotland.

Businesses are not lining up to thank Rachael Hamilton’s Conservatives for the imposition of Brexit—quite the opposite. Even the British Retail Consortium has said:

“Given labelling is intended to prevent goods from GB entering the EU through Northern Ireland, it is unclear why such labelling is necessary for all goods sold in Great Britain. This will only add unnecessary costs at a time when the cost of living is already high.”

The SNP is the only party that is standing up against Brexit and the only party that says that we should rejoin the European Union—that single market that is seven times the size of the UK market. When the choice is so clear, it is no wonder that the Conservatives fear the Scottish people’s verdict.