EU-UK Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement Negotiations 2026-03-19
2026-03-19
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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UK is negotiating an SPS deal with the EU to reduce barriers, costs, and delays at borders for businesses.
What steps she is taking to support UK interests in sanitary and phytosanitary negotiations with the EU?
We are negotiating an SPS deal with our closest trading partner, the EU, to reduce barriers, cut friction, costs and delays at the border for businesses. Last week, I launched a call for information to understand how best we can support businesses to make the best of this opportunity.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Farming organizations are concerned about the potential negative impact of dynamic alignment with the EU, suggesting immediate alignment could cost British farming £800 million in year one.
Various farming organisations have expressed their concern about the potential negative impact of dynamic alignment with the EU. What is the Secretary of State doing to work with Cabinet Office colleagues to ensure that they understand the potential negative impacts of an SPS deal?
This is about making it easier for farmers and other food processors in the food chain to export to our biggest export market. I can reassure the hon. Gentleman—I know he is an assiduous member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee—that we are in touch with the National Farmers Union and others about the negotiations.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on negative impacts or Cabinet Office involvement not provided
This Is About Making It Easier For Farmers
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Negotiations are critical to UK fisheries.
The negotiations are critical to UK fisheries. What plans does the Secretary of State have to keep this House and the fishing sector updated?
We are keeping in touch with all sectors that are affected by the agrifood deal, but I recognise my hon. Friend's work, particularly with the fishing industry. The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs would be very happy to attend a meeting of her APPG, and to talk to it.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Concerns about imports becoming more difficult and expensive as a consequence of an SPS agreement.
Obviously, there are real opportunities to be had from the completion of an SPS agreement, but those who import fresh produce are concerned that imports from countries outside the European Union will become more difficult and more expensive. May I encourage the Secretary of State to engage more vigorously with the Fresh Produce Consortium?
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs is more than happy to meet the consortium. As the right hon. Gentleman said, there is a big prize here, because we do more trade with our nearest trading market and, as he knows, there have been significant delays at the border.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Welsh farmers exporting meat will benefit from a successful SPS agreement, but exports of unprocessed shellfish were stopped by the Brexit deal.
Will the Secretary of State please update us on any progress on the export of shellfish?
A successful SPS deal will bring huge benefits to the shellfish industry, which was, as my hon. Friend said, very badly affected by the botched Brexit deal that we inherited from the last Government.
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Details on progress not provided
A Successful Sps Deal Will Bring Huge Benefits
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Concerns about the UK's guidance for businesses on the use of hormones including bovine somatotrophin.
Will the Minister give a clear assurance that the UK will maintain our bans on hormone-treated beef, ractopamine-treated pork and bovine somatotrophin-treated dairy, and that none of those standards will be weakened or traded away in the EU SPS negotiations?
I reassure the shadow Minister that the Government are absolutely committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards, and we made it clear to the United States when we were doing the deal with them that we will not tolerate hormone-treated beef and certain other products.
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