Call for information as UK ‘moves closer’ to agreement with EU on agrifood trade

Officials are negotiating a deal to make agrifood trade with the EU easier, cheaper and quicker for British businesses to export and import.

It is aiming to cut red tape, increase choice for consumers and put downward pressure on food price inflation with a proposed start date in mid-2027.

Exports of food and agricultural products to the EU since 2018 have fallen by 22% – almost £4 billion in real terms.

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement aims to facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood goods, including plants, from GB to NI, protecting the UK internal market while maintaining NI's access to the EU single market.

The Windsor Framework, which governs NI's post-Brexit arrangements, places the province effectively within the EU in terms of trade rules. As a result, goods moving from GB to NI currently require checks and customs paperwork. The deal was sold as providing NI with the “best of both worlds” because businesses here can sell into the GB and EU markets. This so-called ‘dual market access’ has been rejected by unionist politicians, because of the disruption caused to supply chains by the internal UK border.

Under the SPS agreement currently being negotiated, traders would no longer need regulatory certificates, checks or paperwork for most agrifood goods moving from GB to NI.

The UK government has launched a six-week call for information to understand how it can support businesses to make the most of this opportunity.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said that ensuring Northern Ireland benefits from the agreement has been a “guiding principle of our negotiations”.

“This deal will make it easier for businesses to move agrifood goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, cutting unnecessary paperwork and slashing costs,” she said.

“At the same time, Northern Ireland will retain its unique dual market – a position unmatched elsewhere in Europe.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described a “significant milestone for Northern Ireland” as the UK moves towards an agreement with the EU.

“This will make it easier, cheaper and quicker for British businesses to export and import food, animals and plants,” he said.

“By removing complex checks and paperwork for the vast majority of this trade, an agreement will reduce costs and red tape for local businesses while fully protecting the integrity of the UK internal market.

“This agreement will not only reinforce Northern Ireland's unique dual market access, but also ensure that we continue to uphold our commitments under the Good Friday Agreement while securing a better economic future.”

Ulster Farmers' Union president William Irvine said: “An agreement on SPS matters between the UK and EU can bring real long-term certainty for our members and the wider agrifood industry.”

Businesses in Northern Ireland have been asked to engage with their trade body or industry association and their supply chain to understand changes that may apply to them, as well as signing up for Defra alerts.