Scotland is facing a ‘no deal Brexit nightmare’, Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell has said.

Mr Russell’s remarks come after the UK Government published the first batch of ‘Technical Notices’ to prepare for leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement – which would see the UK exit the EU on 29 March 2019 with no transition period.

The notices provide details of significant new regulatory processes for EU imports and exports, including for food, medicines and medical supplies and organs for transplant.

The notices also show the UK Government’s ‘no deal’ preparations rely on being able to negotiate bilateral deals, for example to allow continued access to European markets for UK financial services providers and to the Horizon 2020, Erasmus and nuclear research programmes.

The Constitutional Relations Secretary said:

“These technical notices reveal the ‘no deal’ Brexit nightmare facing Scotland and lay bare the risks facing Scottish businesses, the economy and public services.

“From the bureaucratic burden that will be imposed on EU imports and exports to the need to strike a wide range of ‘no deal’ deals before the end of March, these notices only add to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. People want to know if their medication will still be available and farmers and fishermen want to know if they will still be able to sell their products.

“While a responsible government must prepare for all exit possibilities, the UK Government should rule out a disastrous ‘no deal’ and focus instead on securing the best outcome for us all – which, short of staying in the EU, is remaining part of the Single Market and Customs Union.”

Background

The first package of ‘no deal’ Technical Notices has been published by the UK Government, which has said they are aimed at helping businesses and the public prepare for a ‘no deal’ Brexit.