UK Government Urges Farmers Food Producers and Exporters to Prepare for New SPS Agreement That Will Reshape Agricultural Trade Between Britain and the European Union

Businesses across the agriculture and food sectors are being encouraged to start preparing for a major change in trade rules between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

A new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, announced on 19 May 2025, is expected to simplify the way agricultural and food products move between the two markets.

The proposed arrangement, which works alongside the Windsor Framework, aims to remove many of the barriers that emerged after Brexit.

Officials say the goal is to make the movement of goods easier, cheaper and more predictable — not only between the UK and the EU but also between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Once implemented, the agreement will cover a wide range of areas related to food production and safety.

These include the movement of animals and plants, food and feed safety regulations, nutritional standards, food labelling rules, organic certification, agricultural marketing standards, and the regulation of pesticides and biocides.

Which Businesses Will Be Affected

The changes will apply differently depending on the industry, but several key sectors are expected to be impacted.

Farmers and primary producers may need to adjust to updated requirements around animal health, plant protection, feed standards, pesticide limits and veterinary medicine residue levels.

Food and beverage manufacturers will likely see changes related to hygiene regulations, food additives, marketing standards, food contact materials and labelling requirements.

Companies involved in logistics and transportation — including hauliers moving agricultural products — may face new procedures related to transporting plants, animals and other regulated goods.

Importers and exporters will also need to adapt to new systems for certification, inspections and official controls.

Meanwhile, pesticide and biocide producers may have to align with updated approvals for active substances and product authorisations.

Retailers, wholesalers, seed suppliers, horticulture companies and veterinarians are also expected to adjust to updated requirements involving traceability, product standards, plant passporting and veterinary medicines.

Officials note that some areas have remained largely aligned with EU rules since Brexit, meaning many businesses may only need to make minor adjustments.

However, sectors where regulations have diverged may need more significant operational changes.

Timeline for the New Agreement

The UK government hopes the SPS agreement will officially take effect around mid-2027.

Authorities say that while the timeline is ambitious, businesses will have time to prepare.

Government departments have been gathering feedback from companies over the past year to understand how the transition might affect them.

Beginning in May 2026, detailed guidance and support materials will be released to help companies understand exactly what adjustments are required.

Officials emphasize that even businesses that do not currently trade with the EU should start preparing early.

Financial Benefits and Faster Trade

One of the biggest incentives behind the new agreement is the potential cost savings for businesses trading across borders.

Currently, exporters sending animal products to the EU must obtain Export Health Certificates, which can cost up to £200 for each shipment.

Under the new system, these certificates would no longer be required.

Routine border checks on EU imports — such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat — are also expected to be removed.

This change could reduce administrative costs, shorten queues at ports and lower the risk of food spoilage.

Faster border processes should also mean that fresh products reach supermarket shelves more quickly, helping strengthen supply chains and improve food security on both sides of the Channel.

Opportunities to Reopen Trade Markets

The agreement could also reopen markets that became restricted after Brexit.

Products such as fresh sausages, burgers, certain shellfish varieties and seed potatoes may once again be exported to the EU market.

For British producers, this could mean new opportunities to expand operations and increase output.

Consumers across both regions may benefit as well, gaining access to a wider range of agricultural and food products.

Small and medium-sized businesses could see particularly strong benefits.

Many smaller exporters stopped trading with the EU because the paperwork and compliance requirements became too costly.

Reducing those barriers could encourage these firms to re-enter the European market.

What Businesses May Need to Change

Companies operating in the food and agriculture sector will need to ensure their practices comply with EU regulations within the scope of the agreement.

This requirement will apply even to businesses that only operate within the UK domestic market.

Possible adjustments may include changes to processing techniques, updates to product labelling, revisions to certification processes and upgrades to IT systems used for compliance and reporting.

To help businesses prepare, authorities plan to release a list of relevant EU regulations and explain which industries must follow them.

Government Support and Industry Collaboration

Government agencies are preparing several tools to support businesses during the transition.

Support will include written guidance, compliance checklists, webinars, newsletters and an online information platform designed to help companies understand the new rules.

A stakeholder advisory board will also be established to maintain ongoing communication between businesses and policymakers.

This board will allow companies to share concerns, provide feedback and help shape the final implementation strategy.

Rules for Imports from Outside the EU

While trade with the EU is expected to become simpler, imports from countries outside the EU will still face inspections at Border Control Posts.

Authorities anticipate that inspection rates for certain goods from the rest of the world could increase.

These checks are expected to mirror the inspection standards currently used by the EU for non-EU imports.

Further guidance on how these rules will affect global supply chains is expected later.

Businesses Invited to Provide Feedback

To better understand industry needs, the UK government has launched a Call for Information through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The consultation will run for six weeks and aims to gather insight from businesses on how the agreement may affect them and what support they require to prepare.

Responses will help shape future guidance materials and implementation strategies ahead of the agreement’s expected launch.

Steps Businesses Can Take Now

Even before detailed guidance is published, companies are encouraged to begin preparing.

Businesses can connect with relevant industry associations and trade bodies that are already working with government officials to understand upcoming regulatory changes.

Companies should also communicate with suppliers and partners throughout their supply chains to identify any potential operational adjustments.

Signing up for updates from government departments will ensure businesses receive timely information about negotiation progress, timelines and support resources.

Small and medium-sized enterprises can also seek assistance from government agencies responsible for trade support, export guidance and food safety regulations.

Impact and Consequences

The proposed SPS agreement could significantly reshape trade between the UK and the EU by reducing bureaucratic barriers that emerged after Brexit.

Lower paperwork requirements and fewer inspections may help companies save money, speed up delivery times and reduce food waste during transportation.

For the UK economy, the deal could revive trade flows in agricultural and food products while supporting smaller exporters that previously withdrew from the EU market due to compliance costs.

Consumers may also benefit through improved food supply chains and potentially lower food prices.

What’s Next?

Negotiations between the UK and the EU are expected to continue through the year before final details are confirmed.

After the negotiations conclude, more detailed sector-specific guidance will be published to help businesses implement the necessary changes.

Workshops, webinars and advisory sessions are also expected to follow, allowing companies to directly engage with policymakers and regulatory experts.

If the schedule remains on track, the agreement could become fully operational in 2027.

Summary

The UK and EU are working toward a new SPS agreement designed to simplify the trade of agricultural and food products.

By reducing paperwork, removing many border checks and aligning regulatory standards, the deal aims to restore smoother trade flows between the two markets.

Although the agreement is still under negotiation, businesses across the agriculture and food sectors are being encouraged to begin preparations early so they can take advantage of the opportunities once the new system takes effect.

Bulleted Takeaways

• The UK and EU agreed in May 2025 to pursue a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
• The agreement aims to simplify trade in food, plants and animal products between the two regions.
• Farmers, food producers, retailers, exporters, importers and logistics companies will all be affected.
• Export Health Certificates and many routine border checks may be removed, cutting trade costs.
• Faster border processes could reduce delays and help fresh products reach markets more quickly.
• Some previously restricted exports, including certain meats and shellfish, may return to EU markets.
• Businesses will need to align with EU regulations in areas such as labelling, processing and certification.
• Government guidance and support tools will begin rolling out from 2026.
• Imports from non-EU countries will continue to face border inspections.
• The agreement is expected to take effect around mid-2027 if negotiations conclude successfully.