Removal of EU food checks is cautiously welcomed

CIEH members stress that deal emphasizes boosting trade, not food safety or public health, but are optimistic about future checks on illegal personal imports

A new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement between the UK and EU to remove checks on food exports will “add £9bn to the UK economy and lower food prices”, according to the government. 

It means that most goods from the EU will begin to pass into the UK without the full controls that were implemented in April 2024.

A government spokesperson said: "This government committed in its manifesto to negotiate an agreement to prevent unnecessary border checks, remove red tape for businesses and help tackle the cost of food, which is what we have delivered on."

The next task for the government is to negotiate the detail of the agreement. In the meantime, traders must continue to comply with the UK’s Border Target Operating Model until further notice. 

CIEH members have flagged that the government’s announcement focuses on boosting trade rather than food safety or public health. However, there is optimism regarding future checks on illegal personal imports and the ability to take appropriate measures when discovered.

Jessica Merryfield, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said the Institute was “encouraged by the intent” of the SPS Agreement.

She said: “If achieved, it would boost economic growth by reducing regulatory burdens, making it easier for responsible businesses to trade.

“It could provide greater alignment for regulations in Northern Ireland – making enforcement more straightforward. Receiving access to EU agencies, systems and databases relating to the SPS Agreement should improve intelligence sharing between the regulatory professions who protect public, plant and animal health, such as Trading Standards and Environmental Health professionals. 

“It should [enable] resources to be targeted more effectively to better protect UK consumers, support legitimate businesses and bolster the UK’s food security.”

“It should also enable resources to be targeted more effectively to better protect UK consumers, support legitimate businesses and bolster the UK’s food security.”

Chris Elliott, Professor of Food Safety and Microbiology at Queen's University Belfast and founder of the Institute for Global Food Security, was also welcoming of the announcement. He said: “We have had to endure years of previous Conservative governments dithering about how to handle the self-imposed and extremely expensive regulatory burden on checking food imports from the EU. 

“After multiple delays and excuses from a string of Ministers, a system was finally put in place that cost the taxpayer huge amounts of money and was far from fit for purpose.

“To me, what has now been agreed is eminently more sensible, will help reduce the costs of many food items and ensure better availability of others.”

However, Professor Elliott stressed: “At the same time, we must ensure that there is no reduction on our UK food standards. Some form of random spot checks should be performed, especially in the most high-risk categories such as meat and poultry.”