United Kingdom and European Union reach provisional deal to remove food trade controls
Draft deal would scrap many health certificates, inspection fees and extra checks; ambassadors to review it before the summit.
The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached a provisional agreement to remove many of the customs and administrative obstacles that were imposed on the trade of food and agricultural products after Brexit.
The draft deal foresees the elimination of much of the health certificates, inspection fees and additional checks on goods traded between the two sides, measures that had increased costs and complexity for exporters and importers.
What the governments say
The British government estimates the accord would deliver long-term annual economic benefits of over £5 billion. The draft is due to be examined by the ambassadors of EU member states ahead of the upcoming UK–EU summit.
Officials describe the move as part of a broader rapprochement between London and Brussels after Brexit that also covers cooperation on youth mobility and security. Business groups have welcomed the planned simplifications as a relief for cross‑Channel trade.
At the same time, some supporters of Brexit have criticised the closer alignment with European rules, arguing it limits the United Kingdom’s regulatory independence.
Photo: press material from the event
