THE Tory government delayed its four-nations meeting on the new post-Brexit Australia trade deal, claiming not enough of the deal was tied down – despite the Prime Minister already boasting about it online.
Scotland’s trade minister Ivan McKee had been due to meet with ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland for a briefing on the deal earlier this morning, but it was delayed by officials.
Meanwhile the details of the deal were already being covered in the media.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson blasted over 'secret' trade deal with Australia
“Very interested to read so much well-informed coverage of the Australia FTA,” McKee wrote online. “I was due to be briefed by the UK Gov along with ministers from Wales and NI this morning, but our call has been put back until much later because we were told ‘not enough of the deal is nailed down’”.
Very interested to read so much well-informed coverage of the Australia FTA – I was due to be briefed by the UK Gov along with Ministers from Wales and NI this morning, but our call has been put back until much later because we were told "not enough of the deal is nailed down"
— Ivan McKee MSP (@Ivan_McKee) June 15, 2021
The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford declared the situation to be “completely unacceptable”.
“Yet again, Scotland is being kept in the dark and not consulted on a deal that could have serious and damaging consequences for our economy,” he said. “The Tories are throwing Scottish farmers under the Brexit bus, just as they sold out our fishing industry.”
The SNP have warned there should be “serious concerns” over the impact of the deal on farmers and crofters. Many in the sector fear they will be undercut by an agreement offering tariff and quota-free access to Australian beef and lamb.
Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison reportedly sealed the deal over Scottish salmon and Welsh lamb last night, and this morning revealed it was all agreed.
The UK Government is now being urged to publish the full text of the deal.
READ MORE: EXPLAINER: Why farmers and consumers are worried about Australian trade deal
"Scotland has been kept in the dark and not consulted,” said the SNP’s food and rural affairs spokesperson Deidre Brock.
“There is no evidence of any meaningful protections to prevent Scottish farmers being undercut on the price and standards of beef, lamb and other produce. Yet again, the Tories are throwing Scottish farmers under the Brexit bus - just as they sold out Scotland's fishing industry.
"The UK Government must publish the full details of the deal without delay, allow proper parliamentary scrutiny, and ensure meaningful consultation with the Scottish Government, and Scotland's food and drink sector, to prevent disastrous consequences.”
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