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SPS deal could smooth EU food chain says Davidson

[ November 6, 2025   //   ]

John Davidson, managing director of UK temperature-controlled carrier JS Davidson, says the forthcoming UK-EU SPS Agreement is a significant step towards restoring smoother trade in food and agricultural products between the UK and EU.

The impending deal, which was announced following the May 2025 UK-EU summit, will save businesses time and money by cutting unnecessary red tape, helping to speed up agrifood trade at the border.

According to a report by the FDF in March, UK food exports to the European Union dropped by 34.1% in 2024 compared to 2019, largely attributed to post-Brexit trading arrangements and the increased bureaucracy and complexity of trading with the EU.

It also highlighted that food and drink imports entering the UK face fewer checks than equivalent products exported by UK businesses, with SME exporters finding it particularly difficult to comply with the EU’s more stringent import requirements.

Davidson believes that once the SPS agreement comes into effect, it will stimulate trade from European food manufacturers into the UK, providing new opportunities for growth that previously had been constrained by bureaucy.

By establishing a joint sanitary and phytosanitary zone, the deal eliminates most routine document and physical checks, lifting EU restrictions on previously banned UK products such as fresh sausages and burgers.

Documentary and physical inspections, which affect 100% and up to 30% of shipments respectively, will no longer apply. The new measures will remove these time-consuming and costly processes entirely.

Export Health Certificates for animals and animal products will be scrapped, cutting costs of up to £200 per shipment. The UK government estimates that the new SPS framework could boost trade with the EU by as much as £5.1 billion annually, with particular benefits expected for exporters of meat, dairy, seafood, eggs and other high-volume agri-food products.

Additional border checks and processes have also raised transportation and logistical costs for businesses on both sides of the UK-EU trade relationship, while delays in inspections and documentation have increased the risk of spoilage and waste for perishable goods.

Davidson commented: “It’s no secret that the pre-existing framework has been causing serious issues, particularly on the French side of the border. UK businesses have faced disproportionate challenges as a result, with SMEs being hit particularly hard so the removal of Export Health Certificates and routine checks will be a lifeline for these businesses, allowing them to compete more effectively in the EU market.

“Since Brexit, we’ve also heard about horror stories almost every week of vehicles being rejected or goods impounded, often because of simple mistakes such as spelling errors or minor documentation issues. These incidents have cost hauliers significant sums, with operators frequently blamed for problems beyond their control. It’s been a nightmare all round and at some point, something needed to give.

“There are still challenges that inevitably need to be ironed out, but the SPS Agreement is a sign that both the UK and EU are committed to implementing practical solutions to obvious problems and we welcome its introduction. Looking ahead, we’re excited to see the positive impact that this will have on the UK economy and its potential in restoring much needed confidence among food producers in their ability to trade across the border, and hopefully reversing declining food export volumes from the UK into the EU.”

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