A trio of food, drink and retail companies have called for a UK-wide food labelling system post Brexit.
Food labelling is one of the disputed issues in the clause 11 row over how 111 powers are repatriated from Brussels to the devolved governments.
Food & Drink Federation Scotland, Scottish Bakers and the Scottish Retail Consortium have united to call for a common regulatory approach within the UK, in line with the UK Government’s stance.
In a statement, they said: “Our concern is less about where these 111 powers being repatriated from Brussels ultimately reside.
“Rather it is about ensuring that on a small number of areas in particular – such as food and nutrition labelling and food compositional standards – there is the fullest possible alignment post-Brexit, with the devolved and UK administrations working together on a shared approach in order to minimise duplication and discrepancy for manufacturers and retailers.
“Scotland’s businesses benefit enormously from the existing and largely unfettered UK single market.
“It allows manufacturers and retailers to capitalise on the efficiencies derived from regulatory consistency and economies of scale, which in turn reduces business costs, increases productivity, and ultimately keeps down prices and provides more choice for customers.”
Gordon MP Colin Clark welcomed the call, which he said the Scottish and UK governments should listen to.
“Our food and drink industry is worth £15billion a year to the Scottish economy,” he said. “We cannot afford for there to be any unnecessary increase in red tape or other barriers to doing business.
“In areas like food standards and labeling, there must be the closest possible alignment between different parts of the UK after we leave the EU.”