FPC Ask for Further Clarity in EU Re-Set Call for Information

In response to the Government's Call for Information published on the 9th March 2026 in relation to the EU GB Reset, the FPC have outlined significant concerns for Rest of World traders and asked for clarity from the Director General and Deputy Director of EU Readiness.

The Call for Information can be found here and responses are required by 23rd April 2026. Defra EU Reset Consultation

The FPC submitted the following request by email today (11th March):

Having reviewed the Call for Information questions issued with the Government statement on Monday 9^th March, FPC have a number of concerns that mean we are reticent to advise completion of the Call to our members.

1. There are inaccuracies in the background information which are misleading, namely.

1. 1. That “businesses will save money”.

Many of our members import product from both the EU and rest of world. As Government will be aware, there has been an easement on SPS plant health checks on fresh produce (edible fruit and vegetables) since 2024, and therefore there have been no (or limited) costs associated with trading with the EU. The only exception to this for our sector is a small range of cut flowers which were not exempt.

An alignment with EU SPS legislation will actually result in a cost increase for our members trading with Rest of World markets, as a result of having to comply with the higher EU inspection levels for these goods.

1. 1. that “fresh produce will reach supermarkets more quickly”.

As Government will be aware, there has been an easement on SPS plant health checks on fresh produce (edible fruit and vegetables) since 2024 and therefore the SPS re-set Agreement will not have any significant impact on delivery.

1. 1. “The agreement will benefit of all sizes and ease pressure on consumer food inflation”

The re-set will have a negative impact on food inflation for certain fresh produce items. Using citrus as an example, there are currently 0% levels of SPS checks required for goods coming into the UK. By aligning with the EU, this figure rises to between 5-100% checks, whilst providing no additional biosecurity benefit to the UK.

Food inflation will be adversely affected by direct supply chain costs as well as the cost of delay.

1. The Call for Information asks business to quantify the Operational Impact of the Re-set but to date the only information that has been provided is a list of legislation and a deadline of mid-2027. The list of legislation provided is also subject to change as a result of “ongoing negotiation”.

For businesses to understand the operational impact, they need to understand the current gap between EU and GB legislation. A small business would be challenged in terms of resource and knowledge and may not have access to a trade association to assist with this.

An example in the fresh produce sector would be a small wholesaler importing small quantities of mangoes from the rest of world whom would be facing increased plant health inspection levels at the border than they would have been previously.

1. The Business Awareness and Readiness section should be asked before Operational Impacts. If a business has answered “Don’t Know” to all questions, it will inform the Operational Impacts responses.

1. For Benefits and Costs, it is extremely difficult to quantify costs as there is no clear information provided to traders to allow them to assess this. It is also extremely dependent on the infrastructures that are set up to support the changes. Sevington has been subject to significant operational difficulties since 2024, and no-one could have quantified the economic impact of delay / IT failure prior to it becoming operational.

1. The Supply Chain and Regional Impacts questions should be asked after Business Awareness and Readiness questions and before the Operational Impact questions for ease and logical completion.

1. There may be significant opportunities for cost benefits to be achieved if GB is able to retain its existing levels of inspection for rest of world goods as an exception within the agreement. Produce grown in the UK for UK consumption or produce imported into the UK for UK consumption could retain existing SPS measures as a suggestion.

1. The response time of 33 days includes two bank holidays and an Easter break. This is an unrealistic timeframe for businesses to ascertain the gap between GB / EU standards and requirements, benchmark their current business practices against the differences and engage with their supply chains. This is during a time of record energy prices, international conflict disrupting supply chains and other commercial uncertainties.

For us as a trade association to be able to forward this Call for Information to our members, we would value the following clarification.

1. Acknowledgement that the SPS Re-Set may have additional on-costs in certain sectors.
2. Clarification of any exceptions planned to be included in the negotiations.
3. A definitive list of legislation for alignment
4. A cross map of variance between EU / GB legislation that is currently in scope. FPC have undertaken this work for plant health and HRFNAO inspection levels for our sector and would be happy to discuss this.
5. A more realistic roadmap of information required by industry stakeholders that breaks into sections – firstly, what information do you need from Defra. Then, how do you think if will affect your current business practices. Then supply chain assessment, and then timescales for alignment. Big asks for information overwhelm businesses and result in no or inaccurate responses.

We look forward to receiving your response in relation to these queries and concerns and would be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss this matter further. We met with the EFRA Select Committee Chair yesterday (10^th March) to raise our concerns and it was clear that this matter requires urgent clarification for the fresh produce sector. The FPC are willing to find collaborative solutions to ensure that least cost opportunities are explored during the transitional period.