Any questions or in the need to be compliant with your import and export declarations please email: CDS@chamberelancs.co.uk.

The government is forming a new strategic partnership with the EU on the trade and movement of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food. This is called a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
It is their intent that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) knows that some businesses will need longer to adjust to the new arrangements. They will work with those businesses to make sure there is a smooth transition. Every business in the agri-food sector should start to prepare for the changes now.

Read more about the agreement and its expected benefits

You’ll need to be aware of these changes if your business is involved in producing, handling, trading or moving:

• animals and animal products
• food and feed
• pesticides and biocides
• plants and plant products

‘Moving’ includes most movements of these goods between the UK and the EU, and in most cases within the UK itself. This includes movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
This applies to all businesses, including small or medium-sized businesses, even if you do not trade directly with the EU.

For example, you’re likely to be affected if you are a:

• farmer or primary producer
• food, feed and drink manufacturer
• haulier or logistics provider
• importer or exporter of SPS goods (including animals, animal products, plants and plant products, used farm or forestry machinery)
• pesticide and biocide manufacturers and suppliers
• retailer or wholesaler
• seed, plant or horticultural supplier or producer
• veterinarian

Areas in scope

Changes under the SPS agreement will affect rules in areas including:

• official controls across the agrifood system
• general food law, consumer information and hygiene rules
• food additives, flavourings, supplements, and novel foods
• food and feed contaminants
• marketing standards for specific foods
• food contact materials
• other food‑related measures (such as organic rules, mineral waters and irradiation)
• feed products and feed hygiene
• genetically modified organisms
• animal health, breeding and welfare
• plant health
• plant and forest reproductive material
• plant protection products (pesticides) and their respective maximum residue levels
• biocides
• veterinary medicines maximum residue limits and antimicrobial resistance

Trade will resume in products such as fresh sausages and burgers, certain types of shellfish, and seed potatoes.

Check the list of EU legislation currently in scope of the negotiations in the UK-EU SPS agreement – legislation in scope. These are the areas where you might need to take action.

Preparing for the changes

It’s a priority for Defra to listen to you, to make sure your valuable feedback shapes our approach.
They are launching a call for information to hear directly from businesses about what you need to support implementation requirements. This will shape the practical guidance and support we provide, so businesses of all sizes are ready for the changes.
They will be working with businesses and trade associations to develop support and guidance.
This will be informed by what you tell us in our UK-EU SPS agreement: call for information.