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.

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.

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.

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