Officials are negotiating a deal to make agrifood trade with the EU easier, cheaper and quicker for British businesses to export and import. The government aims to cut red tape, increase choice for consumers and put downward pressure on food price inflation with a proposed start date in mid-2027. This initiative comes as exports of food and agricultural products to the EU since 2018 have fallen by 22% – almost £4 billion in real terms.
The proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement aims to facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood goods, including plants, from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. This arrangement protects the UK internal market while maintaining Northern Ireland's unique access to the EU single market. At the same time, Northern Ireland will retain its unique dual market – a position unmatched elsewhere in Europe.
The UK government has launched a six-week call for information to understand how it can support businesses to make the most of this opportunity. Ensuring Northern Ireland benefits from the agreement has been a guiding principle of the negotiations. This deal will make it easier for businesses to move agrifood goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, cutting unnecessary paperwork and slashing costs. By removing complex checks and paperwork for the vast majority of this trade, an agreement will reduce costs and red tape for local businesses while fully protecting the integrity of the UK internal market.
The specific terms or concessions agreed upon in the UK-EU agrifood trade deal have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear how the EU will respond to or implement this agreement. Potential impacts on food safety and biosecurity from reduced checks and paperwork also require further clarification.