UK-EU SPS “Reset” Talks Put Fresh Produce In Focus — And FPC Warns Against New Burdens For UK Supply Chains

Fresh produce is once again at the centre of UK-EU negotiations, as the government pursues a so-called “Brexit reset” that could include a new and challenging sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement designed to reduce friction on agri-food trade between UK / EU only.

Ministers argue that an SPS deal could help streamline processes, reduce paperwork and improve the flow of food and plant products between the UK and EU. But the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) is urging policymakers to tread carefully — warning that, for many EU-sourced fresh produce imports, border friction has already been largely avoided thanks to long-running industry engagement.

Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “We have a Control Point compensation request on public record. In addition, EU F&V imports and now most flowers are subject to significantly reduced or nil SPS border checks.

"Therefore, industry has incurred huge and unnecessary costs imposed by Gov on proactive companies to prepare for border checks which never happened. The set up and running costs of Control Points and the now the cancelled Authorised Operator Scheme runs into millions of industries hard earnt funds. In addition, Reset has little additional value to EU/UK importers unlike Government statements which often include phrases like ‘slash costs and red tape’.

"In many cases (EU sourced) have mostly never incurred these costs due to FPC activity. However, we run the risk of UK Gov putting a huge additional SPS burden on Rest of the World imports which will never enter the EU which offers no benefit to hard pressed consumers.

"The UK’s biosecurity policy implemented post Brexit by the UK’s Government adopts a risk-based approach to SPS border inspections promotes cost -effective trade unlike the totally opposite precautionary EU approach. The adoption of the EU SPS approach will require huge levels of additional border inspections in some cases from nil ( current)  to 100% of consignments.  

"That’s why we need an exemption from the proposed EU SPS measures for goods consumed in the UK around 4 million tonnes of produce.”

FPC’s Long-Running Border Work

For several years, FPC has worked closely with government departments, port and regulators to shape a risk-based, proportionate border regime for fresh produce, helping to secure easements and staged implementation that have limited disruption to EU fruit, vegetables and flowers.

That engagement has played a key role in ensuring that large parts of EU fresh produce trade continue to move without routine physical checks, protecting availability, quality and affordability for UK consumers.

Where The Real Risk Lies

FPC’s concern is that an SPS agreement focused primarily on EU alignment could unintentionally trigger new controls on Rest of World (RoW) imports — products that are destined solely for the UK market and never move into the EU.

Such a move, the organisation argues, would increase costs, slow supply chains and add complexity without delivering meaningful biosecurity benefits, particularly given the UK already operates an effective  risk-based inspection model.

A Call For Practical Outcomes

FPC is not opposed to closer UK-EU cooperation where it genuinely improves trade efficiency. But it is calling for:

• Clear exemptions for Rest of the World goods consumed in the UK. Easily achievable as our Customs Border will remain unchanged.  

• Maintaining the adoption of the current UK risk-based biosecurity approach.

• Meaningful consultation with industry before any new SPS framework is finalised.

For the fresh produce sector, the message is simple: a “reset” should lock in what already works — not reopen the door to new costs, new systems and new uncertainty.