The UK Government is currently negotiating a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the European Union covering the movement of plants, animals, food and feed products between the UK and the EU.
The agreement means that Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland will apply certain rules in line with the EU. These arrangements will apply whether or not you trade directly with the EU. The government intends that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027.
Key Points For Businesses
If implemented, the agreement is expected to:
- Reduce border checks on many food and agricultural products
- Remove the need for some certificates, including export health and phytosanitary certificates
- Simplify trade in products such as meat, dairy, fish, plants and seed potatoes
- Maintain certain biosecurity and food safety controls
- Align parts of UK and EU rules in areas such as food safety, animal health, plant health and feed
Most businesses in the agrifood supply chain may be affected, even if they do not trade directly with the EU.
More Information
The Government is continuing to develop digital systems and processes, with more details to follow. There will be no immediate changes to customs declarations.
To learn more about the sector-specific effects, please click here.
For more general information, please click here.