In this week's Brexit downsides, extra food labelling costing up to £250mn, a huge drop in overseas students, veterinary shortages in NI, and more.

While the challenges of post-Brexit trade continue to impact businesses what will shape the culinary landscape of the North Highlands – and can the spirit of love endure?

Scotland’s salmon sector has expressed frustration over the "painfully slow" implementation of measures to smooth trade flow and open new markets since Brexit.

Salmon Scotland, the trade body that represents the industry, has expressed its frustration over ongoing red tape which has now cost an estimated £12million extra since Brexit.

Industry hit with a blow as government halts trial of a system designed to limit paperwork.

A trial system designed to limit post-Brexit paperwork for fish exporters has been halted in a blow to Scotland’s salmon industry. / The digitisation of paper health certificates required for all fish and chilled food being exported to Europe was intended to save traders time as well as up to £3 milllion on paperwork.

Since the UK left the world’s largest free trade market, the EU, the industry has had to face the challenges of long queues at cross channel ports and increased paper work. Not being in the EU also means that Scottish Salmon’s main competitor, Norway, has a huge advantage as it is in the EEA – giving it borderless access to the EU market.

SCOTLAND's salmon industry is facing "acute" labour shortages due to Brexit despite average salaries of £36,000, business leaders have warned.

Scotland’s salmon farmers have written to Conservative Party leadership contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak ahead of tomorrow’s Perth hustings to highlight government action needed to support growth of the sector.

SCOTLAND'S salmon industry has called for urgent action to tackle Brexit-related delays at Dover, with concerns over fresh fish being left to “rot in lorries”.

Trade body Salmon Scotland has reiterated its fears that the UK Government’s decision to unilaterally alter part of the post-Brexit deal it agreed with the European Union could hit trade to the Continent, Scottish salmon’s most important export market.

A couple of points are worth observing already. Nearly six years on from the Leave vote, the supposed opportunities of Brexit remain entirely conspicuous by their absence. And ramping up the rhetoric by claiming “immense opportunity” does not change this reality.

Scotland’s farm-raised salmon is renowned across the globe and here at home for being one of the most nutritious and sustainable products we can eat.

Salmon farmers in Scotland are calling for action to ease the burden of export paperwork following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

SOME of Scotland’s most important exports have seen costly reductions in sales to other countries, research has revealed.

“Clotted cream from Cornwall, Cornish pasties, Cumberland sausage, Welsh lamb and beef, Stilton and Cheddar cheeses - all of which the Prime Minister and Liz Truss were fond to cite - are no longer protected for our trade."

A Scottish seafood processing firm, which supplies fish to the Queen, says it is losing business because of labour shortages blamed on Brexit.

‘It would be such a shame to lose a whole market and lose relationships with people in the UK’

One of Cork's most celebrated food producers - Frank Hederman of smoked fish fame - has spoken of his 'sadness' at having to fill what could be his last orders for UK customers due to Brexit changes.

So five years after the referendum, and six months from leaving the single market, what's the slogan from businesses most affected? Bureaucracy, delay, cost.

Food has experienced a bit of a political renaissance as a result of Brexit. Farmers, workers in the food system, retailers and everyone who eats; all have been uneasy over the real risk that Brexit would negatively impact on our food system.

In just the first few months of 2021, the UK has slashed its overseas aid budget, made clear its intent to pursue trade deals at all costs – including turning a blind eye to human rights atrocities and genocide – and announced an increase in funding to the UK’s weapons of mass destruction by 40%, signalling the start of a new arms race and ripping up 30 years of commitment to gradual disarmament.

Salmon, beef, and whisky sales from the UK to the EU plummeted in January.

The UK’s export market suffered a total fall of £750 million - a 75.5 per cent decline from the previous January, the FDF said.

Post-Brexit red tape must be urgently simplified to eliminate damaging delays in exporting Scottish salmon to the EU, according to industry leaders.