UK-EU SPS Agreement - Call for Information

Overview

On 19 May 2025, the UK government and the European Union (EU) agreed to pursue a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. This, together with the Windsor Framework, will make it easier, cheaper and more predictable for goods to move not just between the UK and the EU, but also within the UK itself, including smoother movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

This agreement covers the trade, production and movement of plants, animals and their products; food and feed safety; broader nutrition-related areas such as food supplements, fortified foods, food for specific groups, nutrition and health claims, and nutrition labelling; wider agrifood rules related to food labelling, organics, key agri-food marketing standards and compositional standards; as well as regulation of pesticides and biocides. 

These changes will deliver practical benefits for businesses and consumers:

• Businesses will save money. Those trading with the EU, both large and small will benefit from less money spent on complex paperwork at the border. Export Health Certificates, which can cost up to £200 per consignment, will no longer be required. Routine border checks by Port Health Authorities that currently apply to dairy, fish, eggs and red meat imports will be removed, reducing fees, costs associated with queuing and lowering the risk of spoilage.
• Trade will flow faster. Fresh produce will reach supermarket shelves more quickly. Supply chains will become more resilient, strengthening food security here and in Europe. And for the first time since Brexit, goods will move freely between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• New markets will be unlocked. Trade in products such as fresh sausages and burgers, certain types of shellfish and seed potatoes will resume, opening up the EU market for these goods and supporting British businesses to expand their production. Consumers on both sides of the Channel will have greater access to the high-quality products they value.

Many small and medium-sized businesses stand to gain from this. The costs of paperwork and certification have hit smaller businesses hardest, with many abandoning EU trade entirely because the complexity outweighed the benefits. The deal also creates new opportunities for those businesses that import food products for processing or wholesale before selling them on. By sweeping away these barriers, we’re reopening a vital market for all of these firms — enabling those trading with the EU to grow with renewed confidence and reduced cost. 

The agreement will benefit businesses of all sizes and ease pressure on consumer food price inflation. The new deal will save businesses time and money, and open up opportunities for growth for large and small importers and exporters across the country, helping put British produce back on tables around the world.

It is our intent that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. We want every business in the agri-food sector to start getting ready now. This includes those that do not currently trade with the EU. While the timeline is ambitious, the reward is worth the effort. Since last May, Government has been engaging with businesses and trade associations to understand how the new agri-food agreement could affect them. So, we know that some businesses require longer to adjust to the new arrangements and we will work with them to ensure a smooth transition.

For some rules, there has been little divergence with the EU and the change you will see for your business will be minimal. For others, there will have been divergence since EU Exit and you may need to make changes. Starting in May we will provide more detailed guidance for businesses. We want to ensure that every business, whatever their size or circumstances, has the time and support they need to adjust and be ready to take full advantage from day one.

We are continuing our engagement today by launching this Call for Information (CFI) to hear about the impact of the agreement and how Government can support everyone to get ready. The agreement will affect businesses that do not currently trade. We are using this Call for Information to understand how aware you are of the need to make changes, what information you will need and the impact on your business in terms of benefits and costs associated with alignment.

Finally, we are keen to hear when and what support might be useful, so that businesses large and small, whether they currently trade with the EU or not, are ready to benefit from day one.

Audience

All interested stakeholders but mainly: businesses of all types and sizes across  agri-food sectors, producers, farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, veterinarians, logistics companies; business representative organisations (BROs); professional advisers; trade bodies; local authorities and Port Health Authorities (PHA); commercial ports and Border Control Post (BCP) operators; border enforcement; non-governmental organisations; third sector organisations.

Duration

This Call for Information will run for 6 weeks opening on 9 March 2026 and closing on 23 April 2026.