The BBC reports that Scottish farmers have expressed “deep concerns” over a trade deal agreed between the UK and Australia.
Downing Street said the pact meant British products such as Scotch whisky would be cheaper to sell to Australia.
But industry body NFU Scotland warned the free trade agreement would ultimately give Australia “unfettered access” to UK food and drink markets.
It also claimed a lack of industry consultation set a “dangerous precedent” for future trade deals.
The UK government said British farmers would be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years, using tariff rate quotas and other safeguards.
But NFU Scotland said it was still concerned.
President Martin Kennedy said, “As detail on the proposed terms of agreement around an Australian trade deal emerge, deep concerns will remain about its impact on Scotland’s farmers, crofters and our wider food and drink sector.
“Under the proposed deal, there is to be a cap on tariff-free imports from Australia for 15 years.
“That is merely a slow journey to the Australians getting unfettered access to UK markets and with no guarantees that the promises of other safeguards will address the fact that very different production systems are permitted in Australia compared to here in the UK.
“An FTA with Australia, and the way it has been agreed without proper industry consultation or scrutiny, sets a dangerous precedent for other free trade agreements, including those with other major farming and food producing nations such as New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and the United States.”
