Brexit latest news LIVE – Scottish ministers call for UK support for whisky industry as food exports to EU plunge 50%

TWO Scottish ministers have called for more help for the whisky industry from the UK Government.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has pushed for Brexit-related export issues to be resolved as a matter of urgency in a letter to Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice.

The whisky industry has faced disruption due to Covid-19, Brexit and tariffs imposed by the US following a dispute with the EU.

Mr Ewing said: “It’s been a particularly difficult year for Scotland’s food and drink sector.

“A once booming whisky industry has seen overseas exports drop by 23% in the last year alone.”

It comes as food exports to the EU plunged 50%.

The UK and the EU reiterated their commitment to resolve issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic met in the wake of anger about the EU’s attempt to block exports of Covid vaccine to Northern Ireland.

But the pair said they had “a frank but constructive discussion” and would “spare no effort” to implement solutions mutually agreed on December 17 last year. 

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