Scotland's seafood industry has been hit hard by France's closure of the UK border

Scotland's offshore industry is facing millions of pounds in losses after the closure of the French border at the weekend(December 19), it has been reported from Intrafish.
France will ban shipments and travel from the UK for at least 48 hours in response to a new british blockade as a new coronavirus variant has been discovered and cases have soared.
closure could have a devastating impact on perishable products destined for continental Europe, particularly seafood from Scotland.
is Scotland's largest market and Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year in Scotland.
Scottish Seafood Association (SSA) has urged the UK government to compensate its members for millions of pounds in damages.
association said it was another "disaster" for companies already hit hard by the first new crown outbreak in March and called on France to at least allow the flow of perishable goods.
SSA CEO Jimmy Buchan said that for many members, the days leading up to Christmas were the busiest time for Scottish seafood to be shipped across the continent via France.
, Spanish seafood has traditionally been an important part of Christmas Eve, and most of Scotland's exports are delivered via eurotunnel or Dover-Calais routes.
Jimmy Buchan said he was "shocked" that the French authorities were not allowing drivers into the country because they did not pose a health risk and could be easily tested before entering the country anyway, an untimely move that would cost France a lot and require urgent compensation from the government.
Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) is calling on the UK government to act quickly to urge the resumption of shipments to France as salmon face huge losses during the busiest week of the year.
salmon, which is worth at least 1.1 million pounds a day, could lose up to 6.5 million pounds in exports to France this week alone.
SSPO CEO Tavish Scott expressed deep concern about the devastating move to suspend trade routes to France.
Taviish Scott said Europe was a key market for Scottish salmon and the government was expected to explore all practical options for resusing trading, including COVID-19 testing for drivers, the busiest week of the year, with more than 150 tonnes of fresh Scottish salmon shipped to Europe via the English Channel every day.
if trade does not resume, the Scottish salmon industry could lose up to 6.5 million pounds in the days leading up to Christmas.
, the UK government must seek a deal to extend the Brexit transition period.
is the only pragmatic step taken at a time of unprecedented turning point in the new crown pneumonia.
december, some 3,800 tonnes of fresh/refrigerated salmon were exported to the EU, worth ￡28m.
addition, salmon products such as salmon fillies, salmon slices and smoked salmon generated sales of 10 million pounds in December and generated revenues of about 400,000 pounds a day.
。