Post-Brexit rules that have affected UK food exports to the European Union are expected to be lifted by mid-2027, as part of a new deal negotiated between London and Brussels.
These changes include facilitating the export of products such as fresh, frozen and processed meat (including sausages and hamburgers), which currently require veterinary certificates and costly documentation to prove compliance with EU standards.
Under the new agreement, these certificates and some phytosanitary documentation for plants and wood packaging material could be removed, significantly reducing bureaucracy for British exporters. Businesses trading in Northern Ireland are also expected to benefit from the easing of health labelling.
Although the final details of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement have not yet been finalized, British authorities have published preliminary guidance for businesses to prepare for the changes.
The British government has described this agreement as an important step for increasing exports, supporting jobs and reducing costs for businesses, with an expected impact of up to 5.1 billion pounds on the economy each year.
Negotiations between the parties began last year and are expected to be finalized in the framework of the next EU-UK summit in July.
