UK-EU Reset Deal Delivers Boost to Food Trade

The newly announced UK-EU reset deal is being hailed as a transformative moment for Britain’s food industry, with sweeping changes aimed at easing trade frictions and lowering costs for consumers and businesses alike.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the agreement as a “win-win” that restores Britain’s position on the global stage. Among the most impactful provisions are those targeting the food and drink sector, which has faced years of disruption since Brexit.

Key Food Trade Reforms

• Simplified Border Checks: A new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement will remove many routine checks on animal and plant products. This is expected to reduce delays, cut costs, and improve the freshness and availability of goods on both sides of the Channel.
• End of Meat Export Bans: The EU’s longstanding ban on UK exports of sausages, mince, and some other chilled meats—imposed in 2021—will be lifted. This opens the door for British producers to re-enter a vital European market.
• This change is part of a broader veterinary agreement that also reduces red tape and health certification requirements for British food exports. In exchange, the UK has agreed to align with EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules and grant long-term access to UK fishing waters.
• The lifting of the ban is expected to significantly benefit British meat producers and exporters, reopening a vital European market that had been largely inaccessible for over four years.
• Lower Prices and Greater Choice: With fewer bureaucratic hurdles and faster transit times, retailers anticipate a broader range of products and more competitive pricing for consumers.
• Industry Reaction: Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation, welcomed the deal, noting that Europe remains the UK’s largest customer and supplier. “Trade in both directions has become complex and challenging,” she said. “A high-quality agreement will have clear benefits for consumers and businesses.”

Strategic Importance

The food and drink sector has been one of the hardest hit by post-Brexit trade barriers. Exports to the EU have fallen by a third since 2019, and importers have struggled with rising costs and logistical headaches. The new deal is seen as a vital step toward reversing that trend and restoring confidence in cross-border supply chains.

Retailers and manufacturers are now urging the government to work closely with industry to implement the changes smoothly and ensure the UK has a voice in future EU regulatory decisions that could affect British competitiveness.