UK and EU draft food trade deal would remove post-Brexit checks

The UK and EU have agreed a draft accord to remove post-Brexit checks on food and agricultural trade, the BBC reports. The text has been circulated to EU countries ahead of a leaders’ summit, but still requires consideration. Proposed changes include ending export health and plant-health certificates, allowing some suspended exports to resume and restoring passports for British pets travelling to the EU.

In exchange, Britain is expected to follow existing and future EU food, animal and plant standards through dynamic alignment. The government claims eventual annual economic benefits of £5.1bn. Business representatives welcomed potential savings, while opponents criticised the regulatory commitments. Draft agreements on emissions trading and youth travel are also being considered.

Northern Ireland has a particular stake because its Brexit arrangements kept it within the EU single market for goods. Food arriving from elsewhere in the UK consequently requires paperwork and some physical inspections. According to the report, the proposed food agreement would ultimately remove those requirements, reducing Irish Sea trade barriers.