UK Urged to Protect Farm Standards in EU Negotiations
UK Government Urged to Seek Carve Outs in EU Trade Deal
The UK government has been urged to seek specific carve-outs from EU regulatory alignment in ongoing trade talks, amid warnings that British farmers could be undercut by lower-standard imports.
In a new report, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) called on ministers to pursue Swiss-style exemptions from “dynamic alignment” with the EU on animal welfare standards, precision breeding and pesticide regulation as part of negotiations on a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
MPs warned that without flexibility, UK producers could face competitive disadvantages, particularly if regulatory changes are imposed at speed or without sufficient transitional support. The committee said maintaining the UK’s ability to diverge where appropriate is essential to protect farm businesses and investment confidence.
The report also recommends a minimum 24-month implementation period for any future regulatory changes agreed with the EU, arguing that farmers, processors and supply chains need adequate time to adapt systems, contracts and compliance processes.
EFRA said that while smoother SPS arrangements could reduce friction at the border and support agri-food exports, this should not come at the cost of locking the UK into permanent regulatory alignment that limits innovation or policy choice.
Source: UK Parliament – EFRA Committee | 5 February 2026
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