There is great excitement about RET - or road equivalent tariff - which is to start between the Western Isles and the mainland.

BBC: 'Winter costs are now a worry'

The Outer Hebrides Transport Group said removing road equivalent tariff (RET) from freight would lead to a 175% increase in travel costs from April.

BBC: Western Isles firms join ferry fares campaign

Mr De Gucht estimates that such barriers are equivalent to a traditional imports tariff of 10-20%.

BBC: EU and US free-trade talks launched