Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

UK-EU SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement - helping businesses to prepare

09 March 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Proposed by Emma Reynolds Lab Wycombe

BrexitBusiness & Trade

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement aims to ease trade for food, plants, animals, and related goods.
  • Negotiations are set to conclude within months, with businesses expected to benefit by mid-2027.
  • The government will publish guidance and seek business input to co-design support measures until mid-2027.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement aimed at easing trade for food, plants, animals, and related goods.

Action requested

The agreement aims to conclude negotiations within months, with businesses expected to be ready to benefit by mid-2027. The government will publish guidance on the agreement's scope and seek input from businesses to co-design support measures until mid-2027.

Key facts

  • The UK and EU agreed to pursue a new SPS Agreement in May 2025.
  • Negotiations are expected to conclude in the coming months.
  • Businesses will need to align with relevant EU SPS legislation by mid-2027.
  • A call for information is launched to gather businesses' needs for support and guidance.
  • A new stakeholder advisory board will be established.
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