UK and EU agree draft deal to scrap Brexit red tape over food exports
The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports, ahead of the UK-EU summit later this month.
TL;DR
- A draft "SPS" [sanitary and phytosanitary] agreement has been circulated to EU nations, aiming to remove checks and red tape for UK food exports.
- The deal is expected to eliminate various export health certificates, inspector fees, and other checks, with the UK government projecting annual benefits of £5.1bn.
- Exports of fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish, and seed potatoes will be able to resume, and UK pets will have passports for EU travel.
- The UK will commit to "dynamic alignment" with EU regulations on plant, animal, and food trade standards.
- Draft texts for emissions trading and a youth travel scheme have also been circulated, alongside a draft joint statement for leaders.
- The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has stated that the current trade relationship is "failing to deliver" and presented options for a closer relationship, including rejoining the single market or the EU.
- More than half of exporting businesses surveyed by the BCC want EU customs paperwork and delays removed.