UK and EU agree food trade deal
The gist
The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal to remove post-Brexit checks on food and agricultural trade.
It would cut export costs but tie UK food firms to EU rules.
How it unfolded
- May 19, 2025At the inaugural UK-EU Summit, the two sides agreed to work towards a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area via an SPS agreement.
- Mar 9, 2026The government said the SPS agreement commits UK businesses producing or processing plants, food, animals and animal products to aligning with EU rules, affecting about 500,000 businesses.
- Apr 8, 2026The government said the agreement should come into force in mid-2027 and that UK food and agricultural exports to the EU had fallen 22% since 2018, almost £4 billion in lost trade.