Scotland is facing a ‘no deal Brexit nightmare’ that could seriously damage the fishing industry as well as numerous other business sectors, according to Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell.
His commented follow the publication of the first batch of Technical Notices by the UK government to prepare for leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
‘These technical notices reveal the ‘no deal’ Brexit nightmare facing Scotland and lay bare the risks facing Scottish businesses, the economy and public services,’ he said.
‘From the bureaucratic burden that will be imposed on EU imports and exports to the need to strike a wide range of ‘no deal’ deals before the end of March, these notices only add to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. People want to know if their medication will still be available and farmers and fishermen want to know if they will still be able to sell their products.’
Michael Russell said that the notices also show the UK Government’s ‘no deal’ preparations rely on being able to negotiate bilateral deals, for example to allow continued access to European markets to everything from UK financial services providers and to the Horizon 2020, Erasmus and nuclear research programmes.
‘While a responsible government must prepare for all exit possibilities, the UK Government should rule out a disastrous ‘no deal’ and focus instead on securing the best outcome for us all – which, short of staying in the EU, is remaining part of the Single Market and Customs Union.’
