Devolution debate has big implications for retail
SCOTTISH business groups have joined forces to call for post Brexit alignment within the UK on food and nutritional labelling and standards.
As the debate over repatriation of powers rumbles on between Westminster and Holyrood, the Scottish Retail Consortium, Food & Drink Federation Scotland and Scottish Bakers have united to call for a common regulatory approach that would ensure easy cross border trade within the UK.
In a joint statement, the three organisations raised concerns over how the return of powers from the EU to the UK’s devolved parliaments could muddy the regulatory waters for manufacturers and retailers.
It said: “When the UK leaves the EU it is set to herald a fresh chapter of devolution with substantial additional powers and responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament as well as the assemblies in Wales and Northern Ireland.
“This will lead to a more diverse and complex public policy environment for manufacturers and retailers – and their supply chains – to operate in.
“Our concern is less about where the 111 powers being repatriated from Brussels ultimately reside, rather it is about ensuring that on a small number of areas in particular – such as food and nutrition labelling and food compositional standards – that there is the fullest possible alignment post-Brexit, with the devolved and UK administrations working together on a shared approach in order to minimise duplication and discrepancy for manufacturers and retailers.”
