Rules for a UK internal market after Brexit will hurt Scottish businesses and be “disastrous for devolution”, the SNP government will warn today.
Mike Russell, the Scottish Brexit Secretary, will ramp up hostility to Boris Johnson’s plans for an internal market which comes into play when the UK leaves the EU Single Market.
Russell said the plans would weaken Holyrood's ability to protect Scottish interests and will recommend today that MSPs reject the legislation.
He said: “The UK Government says it wants to take back control from the EU. It is now clear it wants to take back control from Scotland too.”
The new market rules which Westminster will legislate on in September would mean goods and standards allowed in one part of the UK would be accepted and applied in all four jurisdictions.
But with confirmation that there will be on independent arbitration process to resolve disputes the SNP government fears that the UK government would set food standards that devolved nations would have to accept or face court action.
Russell said: “Companies with deep pockets will be likely to try to challenge any Scottish Parliament law they say impedes their ability to trade across the UK.
“And it will mean the UK Parliament effectively imposing standards in devolved policy areas regardless of the wishes of the people of Scotland and laws passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Westminster maintains that a uniform single market is needed to avoid internal trade barriers and simplify trade talks with other nations.
But Russell warned that the move means that imports like chlorinated chicken from the USA would have to be accepted in Scottish shops despite health concerns.
Russell said: “The UK Government is desperate for a trade deal with the US, including opening up our market to US agricultural products and threatening our hard-won reputation for the highest quality food standards. Under these proposals Scotland will be forced to accept any standards set and agreed by Westminster.”
