The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) supports the call by Seafood Scotland for a derogation of new exporting paperwork, in order to resolve the current problems getting seafood out of the UK and into EU markets.
The derogation would allow time for companies to manage the complex paperwork now required for each load heading for the mainland Europe.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of SSPO said: “We are nearly half-way through January and problems are still entrenched in the exporting process – a derogation to fix problems, clarify the administrative anomalies and get systems and staff working seamlessly seems to be a pragmatic and much needed solution.
“We are working hard with governments in the UK and Scotland to resolve the problems effectively and as quickly as possible,” he continued, noting that companies are indicating some tentative signs of progress.
“However, we are very mindful that every day that supplies of Scottish salmon are delayed or compromised the valuable trading relationships Scotland has across European markets are vulnerable to competition.
“The Scottish premium is highly prized but, once lost, will be hard to recover.”
Salmon farming companies have reported significant delays in getting fish to market, particularly to the key European fish hub at Boulogne-sur-Mer.
These have been caused mostly by confusion over paperwork, notably in France, and by IT issues.
Exports were temporarily halted for some businesses by logistics provider DFDS, with its groupage export service put on hold until 18 January to help clear a backlog of exports, deal with IT issues and train extra staff on the new customs rules.
Seafood Scotland chief executive Donna Fordyce commented earlier today: “Trying to navigate the system we have at the moment is like pushing water uphill, and it is not improving – getting anything out of the UK into the EU is being achieved by luck rather than design.”
The group called upon the UK and EU to grant companies a six-month grace period in relation to the raft of new paperwork they are now required to complete.
Fordyce added: “With some breathing space, the system can be fixed and rebooted, and companies will then be able to keep moving.”
The SSPO stated that while there has been evidence of improvements as paperwork has been processed more quickly and more efficiently this week, issues still exist.
In December, around 3,800 tonnes of whole, fresh or chilled salmon – worth £28m – was exported to the EU.
Every day more than 152 tonnes of whole, fresh Scottish salmon are en route to the EU, with an export valuation of more than £1.1m.
In addition, other salmon products like fillets, sides of salmon and smoked salmon accounted for £10m of sales in December.
