Government Releases Preliminary Information on EU / UK SPS Deal

The latest from the UK Government

• The EU is our largest agri-food market, but since Brexit exports are down 21% and imports down 7% (2018-2024). Many businesses have scaled back or stopped trading altogether due to increased costs, paperwork and delays at borders.
• We have therefore agreed with the EU to deliver a agri-food deal which will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone, and mean:
  • removal of Export Health Certificates, saving businesses up to £200 per consignment each time goods are sent. This means a single lorry carrying a mixed load of animal products could see £1000s in reduced costs;
  • removal of plant health certificates, saving businesses around £25 per certificate;
  • removal of Certificates of Inspection for organic products that will save over £120 per consignment, as well as the removal of marketing standards certification requirements saving businesses hours of extra paperwork;
  • routine border checks on agri-food products would stop, so fresh produce can hit supermarket shelves faster, with less paperwork and fewer costs. British goods such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat are currently subject to 100% paper work checks and up to 30% physical checks and would see these removed entirely;
  • routine checks on certain imports from the EU for products such as milk, dairy, eggs, red meat, plants for planting, potatoes, will also be removed, reducing the cost to bring these products into the UK;
  • British products that were banned, such as fresh sausages and burgers, certain shellfish from domestic waters, and seed potatoes will be able to resume trade to the EU, increasing markets for these goods;
  • taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of needing an animal health certificate each time you travel, you will be able to instead get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU;
  • moving goods between GB and NI will be easier, reducing the need for paperwork and checks due to the removal of SPS and other requirements, helping make sure that the same products can be found on shelves across all parts of the UK; and
  • where in the UK’s interests, it will negotiate a limited number of exceptions to these rules.

You can find further information here: EU / UK Common Understanding and here: SPS Agreement Explainer