Delegates at SNP Conference in Glasgow have passed a resolution calling on future trade deals to ensure a transparent and democratic process for scrutiny and approval.

The resolution, reaffirming the party’s position to deliver global trade justice and continued growth, jobs and prosperity in Scotland, has prompted the SNP's International Trade Spokesperson to challenge the UK Government to provide assurances that Scotland will have a voice in approving future trade deals.
 
Trade deals are currently reserved to Westminster, where the UK Government legislate and scrutiny is limited for Scottish MPs. 

Commenting, SNP International Trade Spokesperson at Westminster Stewart Hosie MP said:
 
“Scotland has celebrated remarkable success with a boom in exports, and a higher percentage growth than any other part of the UK. 

“Whilst the Tories at Westminster are drafting plans to drag Scotland out of the EU despite the majority of Scots voting to remain, the Scottish Government are updating their export promotion strategy. It is more important than ever that Scotland’s voice is heard loudly and clearly as a champion for global trade justice.

“Devolved administrations in Canada and Belgium are able to input into the trade deal process to protect their interests. It would be ludicrous for the UK Government to gag Scotland’s democratically elected Government from inputting into the process that will directly affect Scottish exporters.

“The UK Government must commit to ensuring that Scotland has a guaranteed role in future trade deals to ensure the best possible deal for Scotland’s exporters and to ensure that deals are done with commitments to deliver growth, jobs and prosperity.”
 

‘Scotland 'needs' guaranteed trade role’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45349078

‘Scottish exports rise faster than rest of UK’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-43335573

CONFERENCE RESOLUTION 14 - INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Conference welcomes the remarkable success of Scotland’s exporting companies who delivered a 12% increase in exports, a higher rate of growth than in any other part of the UK.

Conference further welcomes and supports; the efforts of the Scottish Government in working to deliver Scotland’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2016-2021 particularly in ensuring it supports Sustainable Development and Responsible Business, and the continuing efforts to boost our export performance and to ensure Scotland maintains its position as an attractive place for foreign direct investment.

Conference also recognises that modern trade deals have impacts beyond tariffs and quotas and that their effects risk extending into the realm of public policy.

Therefore, Conference re-affirms its commitment to ensuring there is a transparent and democratic process for scrutinising and approving trade deals to deliver global trade justice and continued growth, jobs and prosperity in Scotland.

STEWART HOSIE MP
KIRSTY BLACKMAN MP