UK and EU Agree Draft Deal to Cut Food Trade Red Tape

The Government of the United Kingdom and the European Union have reached an agreement on a draft Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) trade deal to eliminate post-Brexit red tape for food and agricultural exports. The agreement removes costly physical checks and Export Health Certificates for red meat, dairy, fish, and eggs, which could add £5.1 billion annually to the UK economy and allow British farmers to resume exporting shellfish, burgers, and fresh sausages to the EU.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is now preparing for a summit with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to finalize a broader treaty for closer cooperation. This expanded agenda includes integrating the UK into the EU carbon emissions trading scheme and establishing a youth-mobility programme. A critical point of negotiation is the EU Industrial Accelerator Act, or Made in Europe, which protects continental industries from overseas competition. The UK is seeking trusted partner status under this act to prevent trade barriers for its automotive and industrial sectors.

While a 200-page draft of the SPS deal has been circulated to EU nations, implementation is delayed until the first quarter of 2028 due to the change in the UK premiership. Further negotiations on youth mobility and emissions trading are scheduled for an EU summit on November 20, 2026.