5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: making an SPS agreement work
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 1661
5 February 2026
Government Response (AI assessment · 43 of 43 classified)
Accepted
14
Acknowledged
14
Deferred
1
Rejected
4
Recommendations
25 results
1
Acknowledged
Clarify inclusion of on-farm animal welfare and labelling in EU SPS negotiations
Recommendation
The Government must urgently clarify whether on-farm animal welfare and labelling will be included in negotiations with the EU of an SPS agreement so it can properly develop any future legislative changes, prepare industry for reforms and so those changes …
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Government Response Summary
The EU has accepted there will need to be areas where the UK will retain its own rules, subject to ongoing negotiation, and that the UK has been clear about the importance of setting high animal welfare standards.
2
Accepted
Establish and publish the scope of SPS negotiations for effective consultation
Recommendation
The Government and EU should establish the scope of the SPS negotiations as a priority and publish this information on an interim basis, prior to the conclusion of negotiations, to enable effective consultation and scrutiny. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16)
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Government Response Summary
The government published a list of EU legislation currently in scope of the agreement on March 9, 2026, and will update it after negotiations.
3
Acknowledged
Prevent UK farmers being undercut by lower welfare imports through specific exemptions
Recommendation
The Government must not allow UK farmers and food producers to be undercut by cheaper imports produced to lower welfare standards, in line with its repeated commitments to not lower food standards and uphold high animal welfare standards in trade …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that it shares the public’s high regard for environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare, and will uphold high animal welfare standards, championing the importance of high standards globally while working with international partners.
4
Acknowledged
Seek specific exemptions from dynamic alignment with EU on animal welfare standards
Recommendation
The UK Government should seek specific exemptions from dynamic alignment with the EU on animal welfare standards. (Recommendation, Paragraph 20)
Government Response Summary
The EU has accepted there will need to be areas where the UK will retain its own rules, subject to ongoing negotiation, and that the UK has been clear about the importance of setting high animal welfare standards.
5
Acknowledged
Prevent UK food producers being undercut by EU imports with lower welfare standards
Recommendation
The Government must prevent UK food producers from being undercut by EU imports produced to lower animal welfare standards within a future common SPS area. In its response to this report, the Government should set out the practical measures it …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it shares the public’s high regard for UK standards, will not lower food standards or animal welfare, and will continue to champion high standards and promote best practice globally, but does not commit to specific measures to protect producers from being undercut.
7
Acknowledged
Ensure new EU regulations for GB agriculture incorporate specific climatic and scientific data
Recommendation
The Government should ensure in negotiations that GB will only adopt new EU regulations on PPPs and mycotoxin limits where GB climate, growing conditions and scientific data have been fully considered in their development. It should seek assurances, as a …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of ensuring the SPS Agreement delivers positive outcomes and safeguards standards, stating that the UK will contribute to decision-shaping and UK scientific evidence can be incorporated into decisions affecting UK agriculture.
9
Acknowledged
Continue implementing Precision Breeding Act and seek exemption in EU SPS negotiations
Recommendation
The Government should continue implementing England’s Precision Breeding Act, actively progress regulatory procedures to bring precision bred plants to market, and seek a targeted exemption for precision breeding in negotiations with the EU on the SPS agreement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 34) …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes secondary legislation for the Precision Breeding Act commenced on 13 November 2025 and claims the EU has accepted the UK will retain its own rules in certain areas, but details will be published after negotiations.
11
Acknowledged
Secure a minimum 24-month implementation period for SPS agreement adjustments
Recommendation
The Government should secure an implementation period of at least 24 months for sectors to make necessary adjustments resulting from the SPS agreement. Once a common SPS area is established all legislative changes adopted under dynamic alignment must include a …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it intends for the agreement to take effect in mid-2027, acknowledging concerns about businesses adjusting to new arrangements and stating they will continue to work with them to ensure a smooth transition.
13
Accepted in Part
Provide and publish a clear, realistic transition timetable for common SPS area
Recommendation
The Government should provide a clear, realistic transition timetable for moving to a common SPS area, published with key milestones at least 12–24 months in advance. This must not be subject to repeated changes, and implementation plans should be developed …
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Government Response Summary
The government intends for the new SPS Agreement to take effect in mid-2027 and will provide more detailed guidance for businesses starting in May and will work with businesses to ensure a smooth transition.
15
Rejected
Set out detailed contingency plans for SPS negotiations, ensuring continuity of core border functions
Recommendation
The Government should set out, in response to this report, its contingency plans for the SPS negotiations, recognising that an SPS agreement is not guaranteed. These should set out how core functions such as biosecurity, border operations, and regulatory oversight …
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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.
17
Rejected
Provide a clear, time-bound strategy for addressing UK internal market trade barriers
Recommendation
In response to this report, the Government should provide the Committee with a clear, time bound strategy for addressing market barriers to trade within the UK, including structured engagement with devolved governments and options for mutual recognition, common frameworks or …
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Government Response Summary
The government does not accept the recommendation, stating that negotiations with the EU on an SPS Agreement are underway and Defra officials have regularly engaged devolved governments.
19
Accepted
Ensure devolved administrations hold formal consultative positions in SPS negotiations, outlining participation mechanisms
Recommendation
The Government should ensure that the devolved administrations have a formal consultative position in the negotiations, and outline, in response to this report, the meetings and other mechanisms for this. The Government should also consider the UK-EU SPS agreement as …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that it will continue working closely with devolved governments through forums like the EU Engagement Group, Animal Disease Policy Group (ADPG), the UK National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), and the Inter-Ministerial Group on EFRA to include them in SPS negotiations.
21
Acknowledged
Actively pursue a Veterinary Medicines Agreement with the EU to facilitate smoother trade
Recommendation
The Government should actively pursue a Veterinary Medicines Agreement with the EU in tandem with the SPS agreement to facilitate smoother trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. In its response to this report, the Government should set out its …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that medicines supply remains stable and that it will continue to monitor the situation closely while also being open to working with the EU and other international trading partners on the regulation of veterinary medicines. The government is currently focused on the SPS agreement negotiations.
24
Accepted
Ensure Great Britain maintains robust risk-based controls against serious plant and animal diseases
Recommendation
The Government must ensure that Great Britain is able to maintain risk- based controls to protect against serious plant and animal disease threats. This includes the continuation of robust import controls on plants that can host the bacterial disease caused …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and states that an SPS agreement will mean the UK is able to work with the EU on threats, the UK will play a key role, and they will have access to EU databases.
26
Accepted in Part
Develop strategy by June 2026 to reduce demand for illegally imported animal products
Recommendation
Defra must not wait until SPS negotiations are concluded before developing a strategy to reduce demand for illegally imported animal products. We reiterate the recommendation made in our previous report on this topic that the Government, by June 2026, should …
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Government Response Summary
The government has established a new Illegal Imports Improvement project and will develop a cross-government action plan, but does not accept that a strategy focused solely on demand drivers is the right approach in the short term.
28
Accepted in Part
Provide details of ministerial working group meetings and expand to include frontline agencies
Recommendation
In its response to this report, the Government should provide details on how many times the group has met since September 2025 and share minutes of its discussions. Defra should expand the ministerial working group to include an additional operational …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the Goods Border Small Ministerial Group and its meetings, but declines to share minutes publicly and refers to existing operational working groups for operational activity.
30
Accepted
Mandate EU transport operators inform travellers of UK personal import rules by January 2027 deadline.
Recommendation
Regardless of SPS negotiation timings, the Government must not delay the implementation of the requirement for EU transport operators to draw travellers’ attention to UK rules on personal imports of products of animal origin beyond 31 January 2027. (Recommendation, Paragraph …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and acknowledges the importance of travelers understanding the rules that apply to them, noting that legislation requires transport operators to draw attention to information from the competent authority.
31
Accepted
Publish revised methodology and survey plan for measuring public awareness of personal import rules.
Recommendation
Given the reliance on public awareness for compliance with rules for personal imports from the EU, the Government should ensure its measure of this is as reliable as possible. In response to this report the Government should provide us with …
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Government Response Summary
The government has contracted a research agency to conduct a twice-yearly survey in England to assess public awareness of personal import rules, with the first results expected by May 2026.
33
Accepted in Part
Evaluate SPS agreement impact on Rest of World supply chains; allow 12 months for changes.
Recommendation
Following an SPS agreement with the EU, the Government should set out an assessment of the agreement on Rest of World (RoW) supply chains. This should include identifying opportunities to redeploy existing infrastructure and staff and maintaining a proportionate risk …
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Government Response Summary
The government intends to implement the new GB-EU SPS Agreement from mid-2027, and is working closely with port operators and port health authorities to understand the impact of the changes on them, but does not intend to publish a specific impact assessment of this cumulative change.
35
Accepted
Publish compensation position for unused border infrastructure and prevent future stranded investments.
Recommendation
The Government should set out how it will learn lessons from the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), including the handling of costs for unused or under used border infrastructure. It should publish its position on compensation for …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and is engaging with port health authorities and port operators regarding impacts of SPS agreement implementation. They will use this engagement to inform an approach, abide by any obligations arising from the New Burdens doctrine, and have commissioned an evaluation of the BTOM.
37
Accepted in Part
Provide plans and cost analysis for repurposing Sevington Border Control Post within three months.
Recommendation
In addition to the cost-benefit analysis of repurposing Bastion Point BCP already committed to us, the Government should also provide its plans, with an associated cost analysis, for Sevington BCP following the establishment of a common SPS area, no later …
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Government Response Summary
The government is preparing a business case for Sevington BCP, focusing on operational, financial, and statutory considerations, but does not intend to publish the full business case due to commercial sensitivity.
39
Acknowledged
Allocate increased funding, staffing, and expertise for SPS agreement and relevant food agencies.
Recommendation
The Government should find, allocate and disclose budgets and plans for increasing staffing, expertise, and funding to support its work on the SPS agreement and ensure timely delivery alongside other policy commitments. HM Treasury must increase the FSA’s flat budget …
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Government Response Summary
HMT and the FSA will keep budgets under review in the usual way, with any adjustments confirmed at relevant Estimates.
40
Deferred
Publish plans for parliamentary scrutiny of dynamic alignment and Parliament's future role.
Recommendation
We believe that our remit and responsibilities make this Committee the most appropriate body for scrutiny of SPS policy. We are therefore disappointed that the Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations refused to appear before us. We echo …
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Government Response Summary
The government will bring forward primary legislation to allow Defra to implement the SPS Agreement, dependent on the progress of negotiations and will set out more specific details as they progress.
41
Acknowledged
Publish detailed plans for parliamentary scrutiny of SPS agreement and assimilated EU law.
Recommendation
The Government should publish detailed plans for parliamentary scrutiny of the SPS agreement and any future EU legislation that would be assimilated into GB law once within a common SPS area. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102)
Government Response Summary
The Minister for the Cabinet Office intends to bring forward primary legislation which will allow Defra to implement the SPS Agreement, and that Parliament will rightly have a say in the process.
43
Accepted
Set out communication plan for dynamic alignment realities to businesses and the wider public.
Recommendation
The Government should set out in its response to this report how it intends to communicate the realities of dynamic alignment—not only to affected businesses, farmers, producers, and industry stakeholders, but also to the wider public—explaining the benefits and challenges …
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Government Response Summary
The government published information on the SPS agreement asking businesses to prepare, and will publish further information, starting from May this year, along with guidance, and launched a Call for Information to hear directly from businesses about what they need.
Conclusions (18) Observations and findings — click to expand
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Legislative divergence between the UK and EU has occurred given the EU no longer considers GB-specific scientific evidence, such as climatic conditions relevant to mycotoxin formation or the agronomic need for certain plant 34 protection products (PPPs). As such, full adoption of EU rules in this area would risk embedding …
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Common Understanding is clear that the European Commission should consult the UK at an early stage and the UK will contribute to decision-shaping for areas in scope, providing the foundation for GB scientific evidence to be incorporated into new science-based decisions.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
The EU’s forthcoming new genomic technology (NGT) framework could take several years to be finalised, and waiting for alignment between the EU and UK on precision breeding would undermine England’s first-mover advantage and stall the development and release of PBOs. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)
Government Response Summary
The government states that secondary legislation needed to implement the Genetic Technology Act 2023 commenced on 13 November 2025. The EU has accepted there will need to be areas where the UK will retain its own rules, as set out in the May 2025 Common Understanding.
10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
It is essential that sectors are given sufficient time to adapt to regulatory changes introduced by an SPS agreement. This ensures compliance without causing unnecessary disruption and reflects timeframes afforded to EU member states. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)
Government Response Summary
The government says it intends the agreement to take effect in mid-2027, and that they will continue to work with businesses to ensure a smooth transition.
12
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Frequent border policy changes over recent years have created disruption, uncertainty and financial pressure for port health and local authorities. Stakeholders are clear that another shift in border regimes will only be manageable if timelines are realistic, communicated early, and not subject to repeated revisions or delays. (Conclusion, Paragraph 41) …
Government Response Summary
The government intends for the new SPS Agreement to take effect in mid-2027 and will provide more detailed guidance for businesses starting in May and will work with businesses to ensure a smooth transition.
14
Conclusion
Rejected
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 …
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.
16
Conclusion
Rejected
The Committee did not receive a clear or satisfactory explanation of how the Government intends to address UK internal market issues created by the England only Precision Breeding Act. (Conclusion, Paragraph 51)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation and says that Defra officials have regularly engaged devolved governments on the Precision Breeding Act, implementing Regulations and SPS negotiations related to precision breeding, and will continue to do so.
18
Conclusion
Accepted
SPS negotiations have significant implications for the devolved administrations. While the UK Government leads negotiations, it must take account of the specific needs and priorities of each nation, including regional conditions. Internal market challenges, such as those arising from England’s precision breeding legislation, could be mitigated by a UK–EU SPS …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, outlining various forums and groups used to engage with devolved governments on SPS agreement negotiations and implementation.
20
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We will continue to monitor access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and scrutinise the effectiveness of both the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and the Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme. (Conclusion, Paragraph 59)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's continued monitoring of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and states that no significant issues have been reported, and medicines supply remains stable.
22
Conclusion
Accepted
The UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) provides a risk-based framework for managing biosecurity threats at the UK border. Our scrutiny and Government action has contributed to tangible improvements in responsiveness, as demonstrated by the swift and effective action taken following the detection of African Swine Fever in Spain, contrasting …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and states that an SPS agreement will mean the UK is able to work with the EU on threats, the UK will play a key role, and they will have access to EU databases.
23
Conclusion
Accepted
Maintaining Great Britain’s biosecurity is vital. Britain’s geography provides natural protection from many plant and animal health threats. Any future SPS agreement will require adjustments to existing border controls, but it remains essential that GB retains the ability to apply robust, evidence- based measures to prevent the introduction of diseases …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and states that an SPS agreement will mean the UK is able to work with the EU on threats, the UK will play a key role, and they will have access to EU databases.
25
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Both the EU and the UK are exposed to biosecurity risks from illegal meat imports. Although future access to EU data systems and intelligence within a common SPS area could support British border enforcement efforts, there is nothing within an SPS agreement to actively prevent or deter criminal activity linked …
Government Response Summary
Defra has established a new Illegal Imports Improvement project and will develop a cross-government action plan, but does not accept that a strategy focused solely on demand drivers is the right approach.
27
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
We welcome the Minister’s commitment to reestablish the cross-ministerial working group on borders, recognising the importance of coordinated oversight of biosecurity risks and border operations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 74)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the cross-ministerial working group on borders, and states the Illegal Imports Improvement Project brings together a range of workstreams and stakeholders and the Goods Border Small Ministerial Group first met on 9 July 2025.
29
Conclusion
Accepted
Relying on the goodwill of EU travel operators to communicate personal import rules is not an acceptable approach. Defra has acknowledged that its current survey methods make it difficult to assess public awareness of personal import restrictions, and it has subsequently revised down its own estimates after we raised concerns …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the importance of travellers understanding the rules and notes that GB legislation requires international passenger transport operators to inform customers of personal import restrictions.
32
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
A common UK-EU SPS area is expected to reduce administrative burdens, costs, and resource pressures at the Short Straits. However, adopting EU-style “third country” controls on Rest of World imports risks increasing checks, costs, and delays, particularly in sectors reliant on non EU suppliers, such as fruit. (Conclusion, Paragraph 84)
Government Response Summary
The government intends to implement the new GB-EU SPS Agreement from mid-2027, and is working closely with port operators and port health authorities to understand the impact of the changes on them, but does not intend to publish a specific impact assessment of this cumulative change.
34
Conclusion
Accepted
Local authorities and businesses have invested heavily, at the Government’s instruction, in border infrastructure that may become redundant under a new SPS regime. A lack of clarity from HM Treasury regarding compensation has had a negative impact on relationships between local authorities and Government. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)
Government Response Summary
The government is engaging with port health authorities and port operators regarding impacts of SPS agreement implementation and will abide by any obligations arising from the New Burdens doctrine, and commissioned a proportionate, mixed methods evaluation of the BTOM.
36
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
We expect that, together with Bastion Point, Sevington BCP will need to be repurposed following the anticipated reduction in border checks for EU goods once a common SPS area is established. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91)
Government Response Summary
The government will prepare a business case for the future of Sevington BCP following the establishment of a common SPS area, focusing on operational, financial and statutory considerations, but will not publish it due to commercial sensitivity.
38
Conclusion
Acknowledged
There is uncertainty regarding the Government’s resource capacity to deliver the extensive regulatory changes required to establish a common SPS area with the EU by the ambitious June 2027 deadline. This work is a substantial legislative and operational undertaking, which must be achieved while simultaneously fulfilling commitments under major policy …
Government Response Summary
HMT and the FSA will keep budgets under review in the usual way, and any adjustments would be confirmed at relevant Main or Supplementary Estimates.
42
Conclusion
Accepted
While the Government has been vocal in advocating for an SPS deal and highlighting its benefits for farmers, traders, and the wider UK economy, the realities and implications of dynamic alignment have not been well explained to the public. There is a need for fuller debate on both the benefits …
Government Response Summary
The government published information on the SPS agreement asking businesses to start preparing for changes, and committed to continue to work closely with industry on negotiations and provide clear and timely information and has launched a Call for Information.