A direct trade route between Scotland and Europe could reopen under new plans, a minister has said.

Jim Fairlie, the agriculture and connectivity minister, has instructed officials to draw up a consultation on legislation to enable the reintroduction of a ferry route between Rosyth and Dunkirk.

The Scottish Government said the change would increase access to the EU market for Scottish firms.

Food and agricultural products must undergo biosecurity checks at a Border Control Post (BCP) before entering Scotland from the European Union, and vice versa.

The existing port at Rosyth is not able to facilitate border checks, but these are already in place just over 20 miles away at Grangemouth.

The proposed legislation would allow products arriving from the EU to be docked at Rosyth and then c

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