In May 2025, the government held talks with the European Union at which the possibility was raised of an SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Agreement which would reduce the need for time-consuming and expensive border checks on a range of agri-food products.
Talks have continued and it is expected that a deal will be announced when the two sides meet again later this year with the proposed agreement then expected to be implemented by mid-2027. The meeting was originally scheduled for 22 July but was postponed by the EU when Sir Keir Starmer resigned.
According to the Road Haulage Association (RHA), hauliers are being encouraged to start considering the impact of these changes now, reviewing their operations and planning any necessary steps to ensure continued compliance once alignment takes effect.
Practical benefits are being promised by the Government for businesses and consumers including removal of the need for Export Health Certificates, which can cost up to £200 per consignment, and an end to routine border checks by Port Health Authorities that currently apply to dairy, fish, eggs and red meat imports.
For the first time since Brexit, the RHA has pointed out, goods will move freely between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In addition, trade in products such as fresh sausages and burgers, certain types of shellfish and seed potatoes will resume, opening up the EU market for these goods.
While this is not a customs agreement, and so customs controls will remain, hauliers should see fewer physical SPS inspections (or none at all), fewer SPS declarations and reduced delays with less risk of spoilage.
