Committee publication · Correspondence · 9 June 2026
Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, relating to a future UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, dated 28 May 2026
Summary
Baroness Hayman updates the Foreign Affairs Committee on UK government preparations for a future Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU. The letter outlines business readiness measures, including publication of sector-specific guidance on GOV.UK, establishment of a 13-member SPS Readiness Business Advisory Council, and analysis of 489 responses to a March Call for Information. Negotiations are expected to conclude summer 2026.
Key findings
- Government has published action-focused, sector-specific business guidance covering supply chain review, systems preparation, and legislation scope to help agrifood sectors prepare for SPS Agreement implementation.
- Established SPS Readiness Business Advisory Council comprising 13 UK businesses and trade bodies for regular consultation; analysing 489 responses to March Call for Information to co-design support through mid-2027.
- Government acknowledges current arrangements present challenges including unnecessary costs, administrative burdens and delays at border; future agreement aims to make food and plant movements easier, cheaper and quicker while maintaining UK health and safety standards.
- EU negotiations expected to conclude summer 2026; published guidance is interim and does not prejudge negotiation outcomes or constitute final regulatory guidance.
- Potential changes may affect production, processing requirements, certification, labelling, IT systems and compliance activity; government committed to supporting businesses needing longer transition periods.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
trade-policysanitary-phytosanitary-standardsbusiness-preparednessagrifood-sectoruk-eu-relations
Key actors
Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Emily Thornberry, Foreign Affairs Committee, European Union, SPS Readiness Business Advisory Council
Notable line
“A future SPS Agreement with the EU is a priority for this Government and the benefits it can bring to businesses and consumers across the agri-food and related sectors, including producers …”
Key Quotes
“Current arrangements continue to present challenges, including unnecessary costs, administrative burdens and delays at the border.”
“We are acting on what we have clearly heard from businesses that they want practical information early, and we are committed to being transparent about what is known, what is not yet agreed, and when further clarity can be provided.”
“This guidance does not prejudge the outcome of negotiations, nor does it constitute final regulatory guidance.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗