Industry Calls Grow For Clarity On UK-EU SPS Agreement

Industry calls are growing for critical details to be clarified within the new UK‑EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement after the government this week urged agri-food businesses to take early steps to prepare for its implementation by mid-2027.

Defra argues its deal should make food and agricultural trade with the EU “easier, cheaper and faster”, announcing that it aims to finalise negotiations later this year. 

Encouraging food and farming companies to prepare for a mid-2027 target start date, the government unveiled a six-week Call for Information to understand how it can support businesses to make the most of the deal. 

In addition, more details have been published on the scope of the agreement, including which sectors the deal will focus on to help all businesses understand and prepare for what lies ahead. 

However, Defra’s announcement has prompted key industry organisations to repeat concerns and renew calls for greater details, including the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) which has asked for urgent clarity on key aspects for the fresh produce sector.

Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of FPC, stressed the sector’s concerns, stating: “The recent Government statement once again fails to offer adequate advice and clarity for the sector. In fact, several statements appear fundamentally inaccurate, particularly in relation to unsubstantiated claims of cost savings.

“Since leaving the EU, the fresh produce sector has not been subject to border controls for EU-sourced fruit and vegetables and now enjoys very low levels of border checks for cut flowers.

“On this basis, there are no cost savings — quite the contrary. Overall, the proposals will drive significant additional costs.

“One aspect of the Government’s proposed solution to secure an EU ‘reset’ agreement is to adopt EU SPS controls on the huge volume of UK fresh produce imports from the rest of the world.

“This approach would fundamentally increase import bureaucracy and ultimately raise costs, delivering no benefit to either consumers or UK biosecurity.”

“Due to high levels of industry compliance and a unique risk-based plant health and biodiversity approach post-Brexit, the UK, based on its own Government assessments, has enjoyed low levels of border inspections. This is totally contrary to the EU approach. In fact, several key products are likely to switch from very low inspection levels — often nil or 5% — to 100% in some cases.

“We have proactively offered solutions to mitigate this unnecessary, self-imposed trade barrier, which will undoubtedly drive substantially increased costs. However, after months of dialogue, we are yet to receive a comprehensive response from Government.”

The NFU, meanwhile, has reiterated its call for “sufficient transition measures” to give farm businesses and markets time to prepare.

Specifically, the concern lies with adapting to new rules where there has been divergence since the UK left the EU, including the EU’s list of approved active substances, and the Precision Breeding Act in England, among others. 

“The government has said it is considering transitional arrangements for some sectors,” explained NFU President Tom Bradshaw in a news update. 

“If this agreement is to work for the British farming sector, it cannot be bound by an impractical deadline which will only increase the cost of producing food, both for the domestic and EU market,” Bradshaw warned. 

"We need government to take a pragmatic approach and give farmers the time needed to adjust.”

The NFU said it is engaging with government and the European Commission, and will be seeking feedback from members to help inform its response to the government.

While welcoming the update, the British Ports Association (BPA) said the new UK-EU agri-food agreement must deal with Brexit “white elephants”, and bring “meaningful improvements” to border infrastructure to be effective. 

The BPA also renewed longstanding calls for compensation for more than £100m of industry investment in border infrastructure that was “over-specification” at the direction of government, and "heavily under-utilised” by government agencies.

“Many UK ports have invested heavily in new border infrastructure which this agreement could make redundant,” pointed out Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of BPA in a news statement. 

“It is important that government works closely with ports to address the risk of stranded investments and that it considers how modifications to these facilities can be financed so our sector is not disadvantaged,” Ballantyne added. 

“There could also be implications for some non-EU facing ports, who might actually see increased border checks to satisfy the terms of the new agreement so there is much to discuss.”

Ashford Port Authority has also raised concerns, with Anthony Baldock, Corporate Director of Health & Wellbeing stating: “It remains unclear where the often cited ‘huge savings’ for business will be found, as customs controls will still be required and vehicles will still regularly need to visit the Sevington Inland Border Facility regardless of SPS controls.”

Cutting Red Tape

Ministers are framing the UK-EU SPS agreement as part of a broader “reset” of the UK’s relationship with its largest trading partner.

The aim is to reverse a 22% fall (almost £4 billion in real terms) in food and agricultural exports to the EU since 2018, and to get more British food and drink back onto European tables.

Defra secretary Emma Reynolds said the agreement will cut red tape and certification costs, speed up border processes, and improve the flow of imports like fresh produce. 

“By reducing delays and unnecessary paperwork, this deal will help keep shelves stocked, protect jobs and put downward pressure on food price inflation for families across the country,” Reynolds commented.  

Under the deal, UK businesses involved in producing or processing plants, animals, food and animal products will need to align with relevant EU SPS rules, including those that do not currently export to the EU but operate domestically or trade with non‑EU markets. 

Prepare Now For Mid-2027 

Defra advises businesses to take several simple preparatory steps: 

• Engage with their trade bodies or industry associations for sector‑specific guidance 

• Talk to supply‑chain partners about likely changes 

• Sign up to Defra email alerts for updates on negotiations and timelines 

• Respond to the new six‑week Call for Information by 23 April 2026

Detailed guidance will be issued as talks progress, Defra added. 

In the meantime, businesses are advised to continue to follow the current trading requirements, including the Windsor Framework, until any new agreement takes effect.