UK and EU agree draft deal to remove Brexit food checks

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 14:28 · Archive

The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal to remove post-Brexit checks on food and agriculture exports. A 200-page text for the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement has been circulated to EU nations for consideration at a meeting on Wednesday ahead of the UK-EU summit scheduled for 20 November.

The deal will remove the need for £200 Export Health Certificates, £25 Phytosanitary certificates, inspector fees, organic certificates and various port and sampling fees for exports and imports to and from the EU. UK exports to the EU of fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish from domestic waters and seed potatoes will also be able to resume. Trade in other food and animal products ranging from cheese and wines to leather goods and flowers will be eased.

British food exporters have been heavily affected by Brexit checks introduced in 2022. According to the National Farmers' Union, exports of British food to the EU have collapsed by a third since 2019, with eggs, chicken and potato products particularly hard hit. The checks have also made it impossible for smaller UK retailers such as delicatessens to buy smaller batches of EU cheese and wines because of the cost of compliance.

The government claims the deal will eventually bring £5.1bn in annual economic benefits to the UK economy. Sources told the Guardian that the 200-page text has "been settled and there will be no further negotiation".

The deal is the most significant part of the so-called Brexit reset agreed so far. Similar draft texts for deals on emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme have also been circulated alongside a 15-page draft joint statement for UK and EU top leaders.

The change in UK prime minister in July caused a six-month delay to the summit, which was originally scheduled for earlier in the year. Implementation of the SPS agreement is not expected until the first quarter of 2028. Andy Burnham has said he would like to see Britain return to the EU, though he has insisted he has not proposed the return of freedom of movement.

How it is being reported

• What is the Brexit food red tape that could be scrapped in a new EU deal?The government has estimated that a deal could add up to £5.1 billion a year to the economyThe Independent · 3 Nov, 17:34
• Britain, EU reach preliminary deal to scap Brexit red tape on food tradeBritain and the European Union have struck a deal to remove Brexit checks on two-way trade in food and farm products that have been in force since 2022.UPI · 3 Nov, 14:14
• UK and EU agree deal to scrap Brexit red tape on food and animal productsA 200-page draft text has been handed to EU nations as the PM Andy Burnham seeks a closer relationship with the bloc, and a better deal for BritainThe Mirror · 3 Nov, 14:08
• Burnham's 'surrender' deal with EU 'is done': UK to accept Brussels' rules on food, allow youth 'free movement' and slash fees for European studentsAhead of an UK-EU summit, a 200-page draft text for a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement is reportedly being shared among the bloc's members.Daily Mail · 3 Nov, 10:47
• Deal finalised to remove Brexit checks on food and animal productsAgreement to ease rules on food imports and exports is now expected to come into force in first quarter of 2028 UK politics live – latest updates The EU and the UK have completed their deal to remove Brexit checks on imports and exports of food and animal products ranging from sausages and cheese to leather goods and flowers. It will prove a boon for British food exporters who have seen trade with Europe drop by a third since 2019 and will also mean smaller retailers in the UK such as delicatessens can return to buying smaller batches of cheese and wines, something that became impossible…The Guardian · 3 Nov, 09:19
• UK and EU agree draft deal to scrap Brexit red tape over food exportsThe food deal, ahead of a UK-EU summit later this month, is the most significant part of the so-called Brexit reset agreed so far.BBC News · 3 Nov, 02:11

In this story: UK · EU · Andy Burnham · National Farmers' Union

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