Scottish meat processors have been cutting exports in the first days of Brexit as teething problems persist.

Many abattoirs have faced challenges to get officials to sign documentation. In addition, haulage companies have been reluctant to send lorry loads of meat to the continent for fear they could be stuck either side of the English Channel due to COVID-19 restrictions.

According to Martin Morgan from the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW), businesses have taken a “wait and see” approach, at least for the time being.

“SAMW welcomes the deal that was finally struck, but the fact that it came so late in the year, means that Scotland’s red meat businesses still face questions concerning the availability of sufficient vets to countersign the extra paperwork which is now required. This will inevitably impose significant new costs on exporting members, which we could well do without, especially as the country moves back into lockdown,” he said.