BREXIT is hammering theeconomyat the worst possible time, theSNPhave said in response to figures revealing a significant drop in food and drink exports.<\/p>\n
A report released by the Food and Drink Federation on Wednesday showed that exports to the EU in the first quarter of the year are down by 17.3% more than 600 million on the same period in 2019.<\/p>\n
Salmon has been hit especially hard, the figures show, with a drop of 25%. Whisky, however, is performing strongly, with an increase of 9.7%.<\/p>\n
Exports to the rest of the world have increased since 2019 by 10.7%. However, this gain (around 222m) is not enough to cover the losses made on trade with the EU post-Brexit (around 628m).<\/p>\n
Comparing the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2019 overall, UK exports of food and drink are down by 7%. However, imports from the EU have actually increased by 13.3%.<\/p>\n
The SNP's shadow secretary for environment, food and rural affairs, Deidre Brock MP, said: \"The damage of the Tories' extreme Brexit knows no bounds with new figures revealing a plunge in food and drink exports to the EU in just the first three months of this year alone compared to the same period in 2019.<\/p>\n
\"Brexit is continuing to hammer households and businesses at the worst possible time - with Scotland and the UK being hit with rising food prices, increased paperwork and delays, and drop in exports.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\"While scandal-ridden Boris Johnson attempts to distract the public with pounds and ounces, the reality is that Scotland's world-leading food and farming sector is being sold out and Brexit continues to cost our economy.<\/p>\n
\"The only way for Scotland to escape the long-term damage of Brexit is to become an independent country and re-join the EU and the biggest single trading bloc one which is seven times bigger than the UK market.\"<\/p>\n
The UK Government has been approached for comment.<\/p>\n
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The rest is here:<\/p>\n
Brexit 'still hammering' UK food and drinks exports, report shows - The National<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BREXIT is hammering theeconomyat the worst possible time, theSNPhave said in response to figures revealing a significant drop in food and drink exports. A report released by the Food and Drink Federation on Wednesday showed that exports to the EU in the first quarter of the year are down by 17.3% more than 600 million on the same period in 2019. Salmon has been hit especially hard, the figures show, with a drop of 25%. Continue reading