UK Food Sector Urges Transition Period in Light of Post-Brexit Regulatory Reset Talks with EU
British farming and food industry leaders call for phased implementation of aligning rules to prevent disruption and economic loss from abrupt change
Representatives from Britain’s food and farming sectors have urged the government to secure a formal transition period if it agrees to realign post-Brexit agricultural and food standards with those of the European Union amid ongoing reset negotiations.
Industry groups, including the National Farmers’ Union and agrichemical trade body Croplife, warn that immediate regulatory changes without phased implementation could trigger a damaging “cliff edge” for businesses and growers.
Their concerns come as UK and EU officials begin technical talks on a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement designed to reduce border friction and trade barriers that have impeded food exports since Brexit’s departure from the single market.
Sector leaders say that differences in pesticide, fungicide and herbicide approvals — which have emerged since Brexit — highlight how swiftly imposed alignment could render some British crops unsellable in EU markets, with potential annual losses for UK businesses estimated between £500 million and £810 million.
They emphasise that a transition period of at least a year would help producers adjust to regulatory changes, mirroring the phasing approach used during the UK’s initial departure from the EU and avoiding disruptive market shocks.
Without such a period, crops grown under current UK standards in one year could be prohibited from EU markets under new aligned rules if they remain in storage when the agreement takes effect.
The calls for a transition period underscore broader industry frustrations over the pace and transparency of engagement with government negotiators.
Some executives argue that policymakers have focused on finalising a deal touted to benefit the economy — projected to add up to £5.1 billion annually through reduced red tape and border delays — without sufficiently consulting those directly affected in the food supply chain.
Negotiators aim to start detailed discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation, a central pillar of the reset, which could remove export health certificates and other documentation requirements that currently complicate cross-border trade.
As talks proceed, food and farming stakeholders are pressing both ministers and Brussels officials to agree a structured, phased implementation that cushions businesses from abrupt changes and sustains vital trade flows between the UK and its largest agricultural market.
Industry groups, including the National Farmers’ Union and agrichemical trade body Croplife, warn that immediate regulatory changes without phased implementation could trigger a damaging “cliff edge” for businesses and growers.
Their concerns come as UK and EU officials begin technical talks on a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement designed to reduce border friction and trade barriers that have impeded food exports since Brexit’s departure from the single market.
Sector leaders say that differences in pesticide, fungicide and herbicide approvals — which have emerged since Brexit — highlight how swiftly imposed alignment could render some British crops unsellable in EU markets, with potential annual losses for UK businesses estimated between £500 million and £810 million.
They emphasise that a transition period of at least a year would help producers adjust to regulatory changes, mirroring the phasing approach used during the UK’s initial departure from the EU and avoiding disruptive market shocks.
Without such a period, crops grown under current UK standards in one year could be prohibited from EU markets under new aligned rules if they remain in storage when the agreement takes effect.
The calls for a transition period underscore broader industry frustrations over the pace and transparency of engagement with government negotiators.
Some executives argue that policymakers have focused on finalising a deal touted to benefit the economy — projected to add up to £5.1 billion annually through reduced red tape and border delays — without sufficiently consulting those directly affected in the food supply chain.
Negotiators aim to start detailed discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation, a central pillar of the reset, which could remove export health certificates and other documentation requirements that currently complicate cross-border trade.
As talks proceed, food and farming stakeholders are pressing both ministers and Brussels officials to agree a structured, phased implementation that cushions businesses from abrupt changes and sustains vital trade flows between the UK and its largest agricultural market.
