UK-EU Agriculture Deal to Reduce Brexit Trade Barriers but Not Eliminate All Red Tape
The UK and EU are nearing the completion of a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers that arose post-Brexit. This agreement is expected to eliminate the need for physical checks on farm produce and veterinary certificates, which currently cost £200 each. It could also remove the requirement to label food as 'Not for EU', a significant issue for wholesalers and distributors. The agreement is anticipated to reopen export opportunities for Scottish seafood, such as langoustines and molluscs, which have been hindered by border checks affecting their shelf life. However, the deal will not eliminate all paperwork, as British exporters will still need to complete customs, VAT, and safety declarations. The UK could have pursued a mutual recognition of food standards, similar to the arrangement between New Zealand and Australia, but instead opted for dynamic alignment with the EU. 
