Improving EU trade: what you need to know

The UK government is working on a new food trade agreement with the European Union (EU) to make it easier for farmers and food producers to trade. 

This agreement is called the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. It aims to simplify the checks required for agri‑food products moving between the UK and the EU. This includes goods traded with Northern Ireland. 

The aim is to cut unnecessary paperwork, reduce costs for exporters, and help businesses keep supplying the high‑quality food the UK is known for. 

This post explains the background to the SPS agreement, what it is meant to do, and how you can keep up with progress. 

The SPS agreement

UK exports of food and agricultural goods to the EU have fallen by 22% since 2018. This represents almost £4 billion in lost trade. 

The new SPS agreement is intended to boost this trade, by cutting paperwork, removing unnecessary checks and helping fresh produce move more quickly across borders.  

The agreement should come into force in mid‑2027, so we want every business in the farming sector to start preparing now. 

All UK businesses will need to follow the relevant EU rules covered by the agreement, whether they trade with the EU or operate only within the UK. 

As a result, farming businesses may need to make changes to how they work to ensure they meet these requirements. 

Respond to the call for information

We want to understand how the agreement will affect businesses and what support they will need to get ready for these changes. 

We have launched a call for information to gather views from the farming and agri‑food sector. 

Farmers can use this to explain what support they need and what challenges they currently face when trading with the EU. We will use these responses to design guidance and assistance ahead of the deal coming into force. 

The call for information closes on 23 April, so please share your feedback before then.

Benefits

Reducing costs for businesses 

The agreement is expected to lower costs for businesses. Companies trading with the EU may spend less on complex border paperwork if current requirements are simplified. Export Health Certificates (which can cost up to £200 per consignment) would no longer be required under the proposed approach. 

Routine border checks by Port Health Authorities on products such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat would also be removed. This could reduce fees, cut delays, and lower the risk of goods spoiling.

Improving speed of trade

The agreement is expected to speed up trade, helping fresh produce move through supply chains more efficiently. This could strengthen supply‑chain resilience and support food security in both the UK and Europe.

Creating access to new markets

The agreement is expected to open up new market opportunities. It would allow trade in products such as fresh sausages, burgers and seed potatoes to resume, enabling these goods to re‑enter EU markets. This could boost production for UK businesses and increase product choice for consumers on both sides of the Channel.

Supporting small businesses

Small and medium‑sized enterprises are among the businesses most affected by current paperwork and certification requirements. Some have stepped back from EU trade because the administrative burden outweighed the commercial benefit. 

The proposed changes may also help businesses that import food products for processing or distribution. By reducing these barriers, the agreement aims to make it easier for firms to restart or expand their trade with the EU. 

    The costs to businesses expected to be removed by the deal include:  

• Export Health Certificates costing up to £200 for agri-food goods  

• Phytosanitary Certificates costing approximately £25 alongside inspection fees of at least £127.60  

• Organic Certificates of Inspection, required for the export of organic lamb and cheese, costing on average £35  

• Identity check fees on meat and dairy exports adding £31 per load on average  

• Sampling which can add approximately £1,200 to a cheese load, £1,400 to a salmon shipment, £440 to a load of apples, and £1,200 to a beef load 

These costs have made it harder for farmers of all sizes to remain competitive. The new deal is intended to address that challenge. 

Stay up-to-date

Bookmark our new hub page on GOV.UK

We’ve published a new page on GOV.UK that brings together guidance on the agreement, a newsletter you can sign up to for updates, and the latest news. 

UK-EU SPS Agreement - Information for Businesses - GOV.UK

Get updates direct from Defra

When negotiations finish, we’ll share the results and provide guidance and support for businesses. 

You can sign up for e-alerts from Defra or you can subscribe to the Farming Blog for a notification whenever we publish a new post.