UK food and farming businesses are being urged to start preparing for a new trade agreement with the European Union that ministers say could cut red tape, lower costs and revive exports to Britain’s biggest trading partner.

Today (9 March), environment secretary Emma Reynolds said the planned Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement aims to simplify trade between the UK and the EU by cutting paperwork and inspections that have slowed exports since Brexit.

Ministers say the deal could help British food producers regain access to European markets, improve the flow of goods into UK supply chains and support businesses that have struggled with extra administration and delays.

“We are resetting our relationship with the EU, our closest and largest trading partner, to make trade easier and cheaper, and deliver tangible benefits for British businesses,” said Reynolds.

“We are talking about real businesses, real employers: the Somerset cheesemaker with export trade halved, the Welsh shellfish trader turning down orders because their catch isn’t fresh by the time the paperwork is done, the Scottish farmer who can no longer sell seed potatoes to customers they’ve supplied for decades.

“By reducing delays and unnecessary paperwork, this deal will help keep shelves stocked, protect jobs and put downward pressure on food price inflation for families across the country.”

The government said the deal would also simplify the movement of agrifood goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, helping protect product choice for consumers while strengthening the UK’s internal market.

Since 2018, UK exports of food and agricultural goods to the EU have fallen by about 22 per cent, a drop worth almost £4bn in real terms.

M&S Food managing director Alex Freudmann said: “The sooner this deal is done the better – it will remove unnecessary bureaucracy between the EU and the UK, easing cost pressures on serving our customers across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“It will also give much needed relief to British farmers in exporting meat, fruit and veg into Europe. It’s now time for all businesses to prepare for this shift so we can make the most of the opportunity – we’ll be getting to work with our suppliers right away.”

Arla Foods UK managing director Bas Padberg added: “The progress being made on reducing friction in the UK-EU trading relationship will be good news for Arla and our farmer owners, as well as for consumers, for food security, and for growing exports into Europe.

“Making sure these changes deliver the maximum benefit for everyone is vitally important, which is why we strongly welcome government’s commitment to work with businesses and other stakeholders on getting the practical details right.

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