The UK and EU have reached a draft agreement to eliminate post-Brexit checks on food and agriculture exports ahead of the upcoming UK-EU summit later this month. BBC News understands that a 200-page draft text for a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement has been sent to EU nations in Brussels for review.
Details of the Proposed Food and Trade Deal
The proposed food agreement represents the most substantial part of the Brexit reset agreed so far, removing regulatory checks and red tape that affected exporters following the UK’s departure from the single market. According to BBC News, similar draft texts covering emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme have also been circulated alongside a 15-page joint statement.
The arrangement is set to eliminate various fees and requirements, including £200 Export Health Certificates, £25 Phytosanitary certificates, inspector fees, organic certificates, certain port fees, and sampling charges for both exports and imports. The government estimates the UK economy will eventually achieve £5.1bn in annual benefits from these changes. Furthermore, UK exports of fresh sausages, burgers, domestic shellfish, and seed potatoes will be able to restart, and passports will be provided for UK pets travelling to the EU.
To implement the deal, the UK will commit to dynamic alignment, observing and adapting to existing EU regulations concerning plant, animal, and food trade standards. Where England has diverged from EU rules—such as in plant precision breeding—transition arrangements have been negotiated while new EU regulations come into force. Additionally, a European Partnerships Bill will provide the legal mechanism to apply new EU rules, link the UK and EU emissions trading schemes, and exempt UK exporters from the EU carbon border tax.
Diplomatic Discussions and Business Reactions
EU ambassadors meeting in Coreper will discuss the draft agreements, while details of the Youth Experience Scheme will be finalized at a political level soon. The draft agreements also reference UK participation in defense cooperation, access to law enforcement databases, and reassurances regarding the EU Made in Europe plans.
Supermarkets and farmer representatives have supported the food trade plans, though some pro-Brexit campaigners criticized the return to EU regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce released a new analysis indicating that businesses find the current trade relationship is failing to deliver. Shevaun Havilland, director general of the BCC, stated that the prime minister was right to initiate discussions and that the government needs to examine all future relationship options while involving businesses.
The prime minister intends to use the upcoming summit to initiate a conversation about the long-term path for the UK’s relationship with the EU.
