To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the United Kingdom Government, since the general election, regarding the potential impact on Scotland’s food and drink sector of the reported proposal for “not for EU” labelling on food and drink products in the UK. (S6O-03785)

Since the general election, officials have been meeting regularly with UK Government officials to discuss their plans for the proposed Great Britain-wide “not for EU” labelling. I am pleased that the Government appears to be taking a more measured and evidence-based approach to that labelling. The cabinet secretary and I are keen to work together to develop a proportionate and workable solution to address some of the concerns around the free flow of goods into Northern Ireland.

I welcome the discussions that are taking place between both Governments. Labelling is a wholly devolved matter and policy decisions in that space should rest with Scotland’s democratically elected Government. GB-wide labelling proposals are merely another assault on Scotland’s devolved political settlement, although I obviously welcome the abandonment of the scheme. Scrapping Tory schemes aside, does the minister have any further indications that the Labour Government intends to act differently from its predecessor and respect this Parliament and Scotland’s Government?

The Scottish Government has made clear its commitment to working collaboratively with the UK Government in order to achieve better outcomes for Scotland. We are working constructively with the UK Government on areas of common ground, such as helping the economy grow and transition to net zero, in a way that respects devolution and all the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

The cabinet secretary and I were in London a few weeks ago to meet Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies from the Welsh Government, and Andrew Muir from the Northern Irish Government. We had a very positive and constructive discussion, which was based on mutual respect for devolved competencies and a much closer, more collegiate working relationship. We hope that that becomes the norm.