Concerns have  again been raised over the future for high food standards and the NHS in Scotland after the recent visit of President Donald Trump.

Commenting on a future trade deal between Brexit Britain and the US, President Trump said:

“Everything will be on the table — the NHS, everything.”

The UK has high food standards as a member of the EU. In particular Scottish products are well known as quality brands with many having protected named status.

Local MSP Maree Todd,SNP, has warned that farmers and food producers in Highlands and Islands could be hit by a post-Brexit trade deal with Donald Trump – after the US ambassador reiterated demands for major concessions from the UK.

Maree Todd said:

“Scotland has top-quality food safety standards, in line with the rest of the EU, protecting consumers and our world-renowned Scottish produce.

“But that’s now under threat, with the Tories planning to sell out Scottish food producers as part of a damaging back-room trade deal with Donald Trump.

“As a member of the EU, local products like Scotch Beef, Whisky and Cheeses have been protected from cheap market knock offs – we can’t allow the Tories to take a take a wrecking ball to our booming food and drink sector here in Highlands and Islands.

“The UK government’s shambolic approach to Brexit leaves them in an exceptionally weak bargaining position – with Tory leadership contenders competing to be the most reckless with our economic future.

“There’s a real danger that, if Brexit happens, the next Prime Minister will be absolutely desperate to sign whatever damaging trade-deal Trump demands.

“Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit – and the threat of selling out Highlands and Island’s food producers shows exactly why we need to stop it.”

The UK is on course to leave the EU on October 31st 2019.

Reporter: Fiona Grahame