Posted on Jan 12, 2021
Brexit chaos: Scottish fishermen hit by collapse in fish prices
Scottish fish exports, reliant on smooth deliveries to the continent, are being hard hit by the new paperwork demands and IT problems in France with one fish exporter reporting that prices were "collapsing" in the Scottish port of Peterhead, amid reports that seafood prices fell by as much as 80% due to "export blockages".
James Withers, CEO of Scotland Food & Drink, said at the weekend that there had been many messages from "food exporters who are finding the door to the EU is now shut".
Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, cited one exporter who said a single consignment needed "17 attachments" and that he had lost £50,000 (€55,600) on one shipment he could not export.
Meanwhile UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak replied that the government was working to improve processes over time, had invested "a huge amount" in IT systems and providing support for businesses.
Meanwhile, transport operators continue to report problems. “The problems have led to gaps in supermarket shelves and lorries delayed at ports because of problems with red-tape and the situation is worsening,” said Britain's Road Haulage Association, adding that “we are facing an inflexible, cumbersome and time consuming process just to move goods.”
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