Govt must seek carve outs and implementation period in EU trade deal – EFRA Committee report

An EFRA Committee report into the Government’s negotiations with the European Union over the trade of meat, plant and animal products says a future deal must avoid disadvantaging UK agriculture and meat businesses.

A sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU could bring many benefits for UK consumers, farmers and producers if it lowers costs by removing the need for border checks and other red tape, and makes supply chains more resilient.

But this report outlines potential problems that should be avoided as the UK faces potentially having to change regulations in a number of areas to align with the EU. MPs also emphasise the need for the Government to communicate effectively with the public about potential pros and cons of an SPS deal regarding decisions on regulations.

Negotiations between the UK and EU Commission towards a common area for SPS regulations began in November 2025.

A summary of the cross-party Committee’s main recommendations is included below.

EFRA Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael MP said:

“Making it easier to trade with our European neighbours should present a feast of benefits for British businesses, farmers and consumers. But there is a lot on the menu for the Government to consider, and our recommendations aim to help Ministers set the table.

“For starters, we strongly urge the Government to aim for a Swiss-style carve out of dynamic alignment with the EU regarding animal welfare. We must avoid unnecessary burdens and undercutting of farmers from products produced abroad where animals are treated worse than in the UK. This would present a zero-sum game and a threat to our already wary industry.

“The use of pesticides is also a delicate subject. It would be a mistake for dynamic alignment to lead to products that are banned in the EU also being outlawed in the UK despite not having been tested in our climate and production systems. Similarly, we should not let regulatory alignment squander the benefits reaped from our scientific innovations with precision breeding.

“A veterinary and medicines deal that would benefit trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is long overdue and should be worked towards in tandem with SPS talks.

“We recognise the potential benefits of an SPS agreement but are especially concerned that failures to communicate effectively with the public about the pros and cons of dynamic regulatory alignment on any subject could cause political upset. We need a national conversation on the realities of a future agreement. There is also the unresolved question of how Parliament should scrutinise any regulatory changes that are made in Europe if they then need to be adopted here. This Committee will continue to take the reins on any examination of SPS changes that affect this country.”

You can access the report here: UK EU agritrade making an SPS agreement work

Photo Credit: Alistair Carmichael ©House of Commons/Roger Harris