UK and Germany pledge to reduce food and farming trade barriers
The United Kingdom and Germany have pledged to work towards reducing barriers to agricultural and food trade, citing falling trade volumes and the damage caused by the 2026 droughts in both countries.
In a joint statement following talks in London on 29 October 2026, the governments also expressed their expectation that an ambitious UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement would be finalised at the UK–EU Summit on 20 November. They said such an agreement would simplify trade, reduce administrative burdens and give producers and retailers on both sides greater long-term certainty.
Dame Angela Eagle, the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, hosted Germany’s Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Regional Identity, Alois Rainer, for discussions on agricultural resilience, food security and trade.
The meeting followed the Prime Minister’s visit to Berlin on 8 October and ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation, known as the Kensington Treaty. The ministers reaffirmed the treaty as the foundation for a closer partnership.
The statement describes the two countries as close allies and important trading partners, with agriculture and food forming a significant part of their economic relationship. It acknowledges that trade volumes have declined in recent years and argues that there is scope to expand exchanges and create opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Alongside trade, the governments identified geopolitical instability and climate change as pressures on global supply chains. They pointed to the 2026 droughts affecting agriculture and forestry in both countries, arguing that drought and other consequences of climate change require cross-border cooperation rather than national action alone.
Both governments described resilient, innovative and competitive agricultural and forestry sectors as essential to global food security, economic sustainability and sustainable rural areas.
Their commitments include working within their respective areas of responsibility to reduce trade barriers and develop new forms of cooperation. They also pledged to promote research, innovation and knowledge-sharing to strengthen animal and plant health and support sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture and forestry.
The statement further commits both countries to supporting open, functioning global agricultural and food markets, strengthening biosecurity and encouraging sustainable, climate-friendly and resilient supply chains. The governments said these efforts should contribute to global food security while creating economic opportunities.
The anticipated SPS agreement is the next stated milestone. Its finalisation remains an expectation ahead of the November summit, rather than a completed agreement.