A landmark UK–EU trade agreement, hailed by some as a lifeline for exporters and slammed by others as a political surrender, is redrawing the post-Brexit landscape for Scottish industry. Announced in London by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Council President António Costa, the deal is already causing political and economic ripples from Peterhead to the Hebrides.
A Divided Reaction Across Scotland
The new agreement removes many of the export barriers that have plagued UK-EU trade since Brexit — slashing red tape, removing health certificates for many food and drink products, and allowing some previously banned shellfish back into European markets. But it also extends the current UK-EU fishing access regime for another 12 years, sparking fury in Scotland’s traditional fishing communities.
That divergence — between exporters who are cheering the reduced bureaucracy and fishermen who feel abandoned — has left the Scottish response deeply polarised.
“This is a total capitulation to the EU,” said Elspeth Macdonald, CEO of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, which represents over 400 vessels. “The UK has thrown away a crucial bargaining chip — and locked our industry into a deal until 2038.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes echoed the anger, branding the agreement a “great betrayal of Scotland’s fishing fleet.”
What’s in the Deal?
At the heart of the controversy is the decision to extend the existing post-Brexit fisheries agreement — originally due to expire in 2026 — by an additional 12 years. That deal, struck under Boris Johnson, allowed the UK to regain 25% of its quota rights from the EU but continued to grant European boats broad access to UK waters.
Under the new terms:
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No new EU quota increases have been granted.
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EU vessels will retain access to UK waters until summer 2038.
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Export red tape for food, drink, and perishable goods will be significantly reduced.
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Some banned shellfish products from UK waters will be allowed back into the EU.
Salmon Sector Celebrates a Win
While trawler skippers in the northeast vent their frustration, Scotland’s salmon farming sector — the nation’s top food export — is breathing a sigh of relief. According to industry body Salmon Scotland, the reduction in customs checks and paperwork will save the sector millions annually and allow fresher deliveries to the EU.
“This is a real breakthrough,” said Tavish Scott, Salmon Scotland’s Chief Executive. “It means lower costs, fewer delays, and better service to our customers in France, Spain, and beyond.”
In 2024, Scotland exported a record £844 million worth of salmon, 55% of which went to France. Producers had been grappling with £3 million a year in extra costs due to post-Brexit bureaucracy — a burden this deal appears set to lift.
Winners: Shellfish and West Coast Creel Boats
One of the more tangible benefits of the deal will be felt by west coast shellfish and creel fishermen, many of whom rely on fast, direct exports to EU buyers.
Under previous arrangements, many shellfish species — especially from class B waters — were banned by the EU, citing health concerns over water quality. That ban is now partially lifted, enabling exports of live mussels, scallops, and oysters to resume.
“This could be a game-changer,” said one Argyll-based shellfish exporter. “We’ve had to sell to middlemen or freeze our product. Now we can go direct to market again.”
Political Headache for the SNP
The deal presents a complex challenge for Scotland’s SNP-led government, already under pressure amid a slump in independence support and a resurgent Reform UK. With the fishing sector — historically seen as a Brexit loser — now further angered, and exporters hailing a softening of the Brexit blow, ministers must tread carefully.
Kate Forbes’ swift denunciation of the deal as a betrayal suggests the Scottish Government is keen to show solidarity with coastal constituencies, especially ahead of expected UK and Scottish elections.
A Long-Term Gamble?
The UK Government insists that the longer-term extension provides stability for investment and avoids the kind of brinkmanship that led to trade tensions in previous years. But critics argue that stability has come at the cost of leverage in future fisheries negotiations.
“The EU got what it wanted — long-term access to our waters,” said one industry insider. “What did we get in return? Fewer forms to fill in.”
The Verdict So Far
| Sector | Reaction | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Fishing | Negative | 12-year extension of EU access to UK waters |
| Salmon Farming | Positive | Red tape slashed, health checks removed |
| Shellfish Exporters | Positive | Some bans lifted, faster border clearance |
| Scottish Government | Critical | Seen as undermining coastal communities |
| UK Government | Defensive | Claims stability, no quota increase |
As Scottish ports digest the implications of this deal, one thing is clear: Brexit is no longer a rupture — it is a rolling negotiation. And with every new agreement, Scotland’s economic and political landscape is reshaped in real time.
