A draft agreement has been reached between the UK government and the European Union. It aims to simplify the export of food and agricultural products. These products have faced strict checks and bureaucratic delays since Brexit.
On May 19, 2025, the UK and the EU agreed on a major post-Brexit trade deal. This deal includes a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. It will streamline goods movement between the UK and the EU, as well as within the UK. This covers trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
EU Nations Review Draft Text
A 200-page draft text outlining the SPS agreement has been distributed to EU member states in Brussels, with a meeting scheduled for November 4, 2026, to discuss the proposal.
Potential Benefits for UK Exporters
The agreement should strengthen the UK’s export resilience. Exports to Europe have dropped by about a third since 2019. This decline has caused higher costs and supply chain disruptions. Border delays and administrative burdens have worsened the situation.
Key parts of the deal include restarting fresh meat and seafood exports to the EU. It will also remove routine checks on some animal and plant products. This includes scrapping the £200 Export Health Certificates. These certificates ensure compliance with health standards in destination countries.
Industry Response to the Draft Agreement
The UK food trade association, The Provision Trade Federation (PTF), has hailed the news as a “welcome ray of light” for an industry grappling with regulatory and inflationary pressures.
Related Post: New Index Tracks Food Industry Cost Pressures Weekly
Rod Addy, the PTF’s director general, commented: “Since leaving the EU, UK food companies have collectively spent billions of pounds on export health certificates, for example. In many cases this has made it too expensive for smaller businesses to export to the Continent at all. Now they may be able to reconsider that and realise some untapped potential.”
The PTF represents companies across food processing, manufacturing, and trading, accounting for approximately 20% of UK household expenditure on food, around £24 billion annually.
Industry Collaboration and Ongoing Challenges
The Provision Trade Federation (PTF) has been working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for over a year to address concerns and provide support for food manufacturers and traders. This collaboration aims to ensure a smooth transition and the best possible outcome for the industry.
Implementation Timeline and Challenges
The SPS agreement was originally set to start in mid-2027. However, sources say it will now begin in the first quarter of 2028. The delay follows the UK’s change in prime minister. This led to a six-month postponement of the second EU-UK summit. The summit was originally scheduled for November 20, 2026.
James Watson of Argon & Co UK said earlier this year that uncertainty over the deal has threatened to ‘derail optimism.’ The timeline has added to the industry’s challenges. Other issues include rising operational costs and geopolitical instability.
