BREXIT politics is continuing to rob Scottish growers of the valuable European market for their high quality seed potatoes.

Representatives of NFU Scotland have visited Brussels to meet with European Union officials and appeal for an end to the deadlock with the UK government, which has stymied a previously prosperous export trade.

Pre-Brexit, Scotland exported around 20,000 tonnes of high health seed potatoes, worth almost £11 million, to Europe each year.

However, Boris Johnson's 'oven ready' Trade and Co-operation Agreement with Europe, announced at the end of 2020, failed to agree equivalence on seed potatoes, resulting in significant prohibitions on Scottish seed exports to the EU and Northern Ireland.

But to add insult to injury, imports of seed potatoes from the EU to GB have since been allowed by Westminster – a asymmetric trade that has meant the internal GB market for seed potatoes has not developed as might have done, to the detriment of Scottish seed growers.

NFUS President Martin Kennedy, and vice presidents Andrew Connon and Robin Traquair met with officials from DG SANTE – the European Commission's Directorate-General responsible for policy on food safety and health.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Kennedy said: “The current deadlock on the trade of seed potatoes from GB to the EU and Northern Ireland continues to cause huge amounts of anger for growers.

“This was a robust meeting with officials in Brussels but, frustratingly, the UK and the EU remain at loggerheads on this matter, and it is Scottish seed potato growers who are paying the price for an issue that is becoming increasingly political.

Read more: Grower says potato planting 'the biggest gamble in a generation'

“In the meeting, we made it abundantly clear that the prohibition on the import of GB seed potatoes into the EU cannot be justified based on current plant health and marketing standards in either the EU or UK," said Mr Kennedy. "Urgent action is now needed by the EU Commission and the UK government to agree a new model for two-way trade in seed potatoes between GB and the EU, and Northern Ireland. This is essential and must be agreed without delay to support business planning for future cropping seasons.

“Both the UK and EU have harmonised seed grades and disease tolerances which would permit reciprocal trade. This trade developed and flourished in the past because of the recognised high quality of seed potatoes grown on both sides of the channel. This is underpinned by baseline standards that growers in Scotland continue to comply with today," he said.

“In light of the looming global food security crisis, it is particularly disappointing that a resolution cannot be agreed. The high health and quality status of Scottish seed potatoes could play an important role in strengthening food production in the EU.”

NFUS policy manager David Michie added: “We are aware that Defra are reviewing requests from Denmark and France to allow importations of their seed potatoes to GB. NFUS is concerned this has the potential to further push back the development of the GB market.

“At this time, the UK Government is not providing any support to develop new markets that could compensate seed growers for the loss of the EU market following the implementation of their Brexit deal. NFUS thinks it is only fair that they do more," said Mr Michie.