FPC SECURES CRITICAL WIN FOR MEMBERS: SPS CONTROLS ON EU FRUIT & VEG DELAYED UNTIL JANUARY 2027

Dear Members,

We are pleased to share a major breakthrough that directly benefits the fresh produce sector, following years of sustained pressure from FPC on behalf of our members.

Defra has today confirmed that the current easement on medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein will now be extended until 31 January 2027, aligning with the end of the Transitional Staging Period (TSP). This means that SPS border checks will not apply to these products until that date – and only if the proposed EU/UK SPS Agreement is not in place by then.

A Unique Achievement Delivered By FPC

This unprecedented exemption is a sector-specific win, achieved solely through FPC’s relentless lobbying, strategic engagement with the media, and direct dialogue with senior Government officials and Ministers.

Thanks to this exemption:

• Around 700,000 consignments per year will avoid costly SPS checks
• The sector – and, more importantly, UK consumers – will save £200 million annually
• The operational and financial strain on businesses across retail, wholesale and foodservice is significantly reduced

This is especially vital for the wholesale and foodservice sectors, where many businesses are SMEs and family-owned, and would have been disproportionately affected by the planned 1 July 2025 deadline.

Additionally, this means that fruit and vegetables will also remain exempt from the Common User Charge (CUC) when entering via the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel – a huge benefit for importers using these major entry points.

Thanks To Our Members

We sincerely thank all members who have supported our campaign, and especially those who have spoken publicly or engaged directly with Ministers to reinforce our case.

Other Sectors Still Affected

It’s important to note that all other sectors – including meat, fish, dairy, plants, and cut flowers – remain subject to existing SPS checks under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

To support the plants and flowers sector, particularly wholesalers and independent florists, FPC is pressing for:

• Immediate resourcing of ControlPoints with out-of-hours inspection teams to reflect 24/7 industry operations
• Early adoption of the Authorised Operator status

Looking Ahead: EU & Global Trade

The upcoming UK/EU “reset” negotiations on SPS cooperation are expected to take months, if not years to conclude. In the meantime, we continue to urge Government for practical, short-term solutions that do not disadvantage our members.

Equally, we are working to ensure that the UK’s treatment of non-EU (RoW) imports, which currently faces tougher controls than EU produce (e.g. citrus), is urgently addressed. The UK must avoid a system that creates inconsistent and unfair trade barriers.

Next Steps

FPC remains committed to working with Government to deliver real-world, workable solutions for the entire UK horticultural sector – from border policy to domestic growth opportunities.

Thank you for your continued support.

This win belongs to you!

Kind regards,

Nigel Jenney
Chief Executive
Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC)