Committee publication · Correspondence · 9 September 2025
Correspondence from the Secretary of State following the Work of the Department evidence session, dated 18 June 2025
Summary
Secretary of State Steve Reed responds to nine questions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee following his 18 June 2025 evidence session. The letter addresses UK-EU SPS negotiations, trade deals with India and the US, food safety standards, pesticide residue controls, and compensation for border infrastructure investment. Reed affirms that high standards on animal welfare, food safety, and biosecurity will be maintained across all agreements.
Key findings
- SPS agreement with EU still under negotiation; precise role of existing border posts depends on final terms; government aims for seamless transition while maintaining biosecurity
- UK-India FTA eliminates tariffs on lamb immediately upon implementation and secures first-ever animal welfare commitments from India; no access granted to pork, chicken or eggs
- US economic deal includes dedicated market access for UK beef farmers; hormone-treated beef remains banned under UK import rules and will not be permitted under the agreement
- Government confirms all food imports must comply with UK Maximum Residue Levels for pesticides; border testing and post-import checks are risk-based and place greater emphasis on imported food
- No decision yet on compensation for businesses and local authorities that invested in border control posts; details remain subject to SPS negotiation
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Steve Reed, Alistair Carmichael, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Health and Safety Executive, Port Health Authority, Trade and Agriculture Committee
Notable line
“Nothing in either of these agreements changes the UK's SPS regime or in any way compromises the UK's high food standards.”
Key Quotes
“The SPS Agreement is still under negotiation, so the precise role of existing border posts will depend on the final terms agreed.”
“Nothing in either of these agreements changes the UK's SPS regime or in any way compromises the UK's high food standards.”
“All beef imports into the UK, including those via the quota agreed with the US, must comply with all of the UK's import requirements, including SPS rules.”
“Tariffs on UK lamb will be eliminated by India as soon as the agreement comes into force.”
“In the comprehensive free trade agreement with India, we have also secured commitments to cooperate on animal welfare, a first for India in a trade agreement.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗