Carmichael calls for government to cut trade red tape with EU in SPS deal

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called for the government to cut trade red tape with the EU by agreeing a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on trade with the EU on Thursday afternoon, Mr Carmichael highlighted past struggles of fish exporters in the isles following new trade barriers being put up in 2021, and noted that given existing alignment in food standards between the UK and EU, a deal should not be difficult to secure.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Carmichael said:

“I have given up days of my life to helping to free up fish exporters from Shetland from red tape, but the truth is that although we have put friction into those exports, the standards are still broadly the same. It would not be that difficult, at this point in history, to get the necessary alignment, especially through a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, for example. We are looking at a market that is important to us and in which we have similar standards—unlike across the Atlantic, where there are very different standards for food products.”

Responding, Labour MP Andrew Lewin said:

“I defer to the right hon. Member’s expertise on the fishing sector, but he is absolutely right about the need for an SPS deal. I am proud that that was in the Labour manifesto on which I was elected and that we are actively seeking to pursue it.”

Reacting after the debate, Mr Carmichael said:

“An SPS deal is surely a no-brainer for both the UK and EU. Our standards are already closely aligned so removing red tape would be an immediate boost to trade with our nearest neighbours. The only thing that could put such a deal at risk is allowing lower-standard products like hormone-treated beef and chlorine-treated chicken onto our supermarket shelves.”