The draft Brexit deal has been described as a "blind leap into the unknown" which could leave Scotland's £16 billion EU-related export sector facing trade barriers and "years of damaging uncertainty", Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell has said.

More than half of Scotland's international exports in 2016 were to the EU and countries with an EU trade deal.

The UK Government's proposed withdrawal agreement would take Scotland out of the European Customs Union and Single Market - which is around eight times the size of the UK alone - with no certainty over future trading arrangements.


Mr Russell said: "Scotland exports more to the EU than the USA, Asia, South America and the Middle East combined. It is our single most important international market and supports thousands of jobs.

"Despite previously promising frictionless trade, the UK Government's draft deal would mean barriers to exports and the loss of the EU's trade agreements with around 40 countries that we currently benefit from. It is a blind leap into the unknown and will leave Scottish businesses facing years of damaging uncertainty.

"That is not acceptable, which is why we will now work with others to put in place a deal that works for Scotland within the European Single Market and Customs Union and supports another referendum on EU membership."