The Australia and New Zealand trade deals are “hugely disappointing” and undermine Scottish farmers, Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon has said.
In a letter to the UK’s Trade Policy Minister, Penny Morduant, she said farmgate prices for New Zealand beef were up to 30% lower than Scottish prices - and the deals would undercut domestic producers, allowing foreign exporters unfettered access after a transition period.
Gougeon also said Australian producers adhered to lower animal welfare standards than their UK counterparts.
