The SNP has warned that Scottish exports worth £733 million could be put at risk if Britain leaves the EU. External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the union was “essential” to maintaining trade in products such as whisky, which provides tens of thousands of jobs across the country.
But Better Off Out – one of the campaigns pushing for the UK to leave the EU – dismissed the suggestion exports would suffer as a result of cutting ties with Brussels. New figures show that the market for Scottish food and drink in France has risen by 58% since 2007, and is worth £733million a year.
The increase means France is now the top destination for Scottish produce in Europe, and second-only to the USA worldwide. Speaking during a trade visit to Paris Ms Hyslop said: “We’ve seen the value of Scottish food and drinks exports to France increase significantly in recent years, underlining the growing importance our friends across the Channel place on sourcing authentic produce from Scotland’s rich and natural larder.”