14 Rejected

Ensure uninterrupted day-to-day functions amidst potential SPS negotiation failure

Conclusion
The Government and EU leadership broadly support reaching an SPS agreement, and it is currently feasible that the June 2027 ambition can be met. However, the Government must consider what will happen if negotiations take longer or ultimately fail, ensuring that day-to-day functions such as biosecurity, border operations, and regulatory oversight continue uninterrupted. While some degree of regulatory inertia is inevitable, it must be kept to a minimum. (Conclusion, Paragraph 45)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that negotiations are underway and current border and biosecurity measures will remain in place until a deal is reached or negotiations fail.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government Rejected
The government does not accept this recommendation. Negotiations with the EU on an SPS Agreement are underway. Both the UK and the EU have committed to completing negotiations before the next UK/EU Summit. Our borders, biosecurity and regulatory regime will continue until the agreement is concluded and implemented, or in the scenario of agreement with the EU not being reached. The government is committed to working with all partners to managing biosecurity and border operations through the transition to the new arrangements under the SPS Agreement.
Source
Committee Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry Animal and plant health
Report 5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: making an SPS agreement work 05 Feb 2026 HC 1661
View on Parliament website
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.3 yrs
Report published 05 Feb 2026