Scottish Government Debate: Brexit Impacts on Scotland’s Rural Economy

Mairi Gougeon S6M-15253 That the Parliament recognises the ongoing harm caused by Brexit to Scotland’s rural economy, such as barriers to trade, loss of EU funding and post-Brexit labour shortages; acknowledges that these barriers have severely impacted Scotland’s world-class food and drink sector, which is of particular importance to Scotland's rural and island communities, and calls on the UK Government to consider changes to the current Brexit arrangements that would address these barriers and impacts, including through the pursuit of a comprehensive veterinary agreement with the EU. Tim Eagle S6M-15253.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-15253 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Brexit Impacts on Scotland’s Rural Economy), leave out from “the ongoing” to end and insert "that those working in Scotland’s diverse agricultural sector are the custodians of the countryside, and that they are vital for the economy and ensuring that food security is protected; believes that many of the issues facing rural and island communities stem back many years as a result of what it believes to be the failures of several Scottish National Party administrations; understands that such issues include the lack of affordable homes, poor local infrastructure and transport options, and issues with accessing health and social services; recognises the need for common sense solutions to support Scotland’s rural and island communities; expresses concern at the announcements from the UK Government about changes to agricultural property relief and the integration of agricultural funding into Scotland’s block grant, and calls on the Scottish Government to prioritise the real issues facing those in rural and island communities as opposed to dealing in grievance politics." Colin Smyth S6M-15253.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-15253 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Brexit Impacts on Scotland’s Rural Economy), insert at end "; welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to reset the UK's relationship with the EU, and calls on the Scottish Government to prioritise the use of all the levers already at its disposal to improve the economy of Scotland’s rural areas, through supporting jobs, providing housing, progressing infrastructure and improving transport links."