Important information! The sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement between the UK and the EU
Important information! Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement between the UK and the EU.
At the UK-EU summit on 19 May, it was announced that the UK and the EU would enter into a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which aims to make it easier and cheaper to trade agri-food products with the EU, reducing costs and red tape for UK producers and retailers.
The agreement is:
- It will significantly reduce costs and bureaucracy for companies exporting and importing to/from the EU.
- It will reduce delays at borders, ensuring a smooth flow of food without loss.
- It will allow British products - from sausages to shellfish - to be sold again to the EU market.
- Make it easier to travel with pets on holiday from the UK to Europe.
- It will facilitate the movement of goods across the Irish Sea, allowing Northern Ireland to enjoy the same products as the rest of the UK.
Full details of the announcement can be found here: UK/EU Summit - Key documentation - GOV.UK
It was agreed to move swiftly into detailed negotiations so that the companies would feel the benefits as soon as possible. No arbitrary date has been set for the end of negotiations, as it is important for the parties to reach a proper agreement. In the meantime, traders must comply with all current requirements and controls, including export health certificates and measures under the Border Operating Model (BTOM). Customs requirements and rules of origin will not be part of this agreement and must also continue to be complied with.
We will keep you informed and look forward to further official information from the UK government.
