There’s a fresh agreement between the UK and European Union (EU) – and it’s big news for anyone involved in food, drink and agriculture. The new deal updates how goods move between the UK and EU, cutting down on red tape and making it easier for businesses both sides of the Channel.  

So what’s actually going to change? And how might it affect your business? We’ve broken down the key differences so you can quickly see what’s new and what it means for your day-to-day operations. 

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks 

• Before: routine checks and paperwork required on all plant and animal products. 

• Now: many checks and paperwork removed or reduced, particularly for certain meat and dairy products. 

Export restrictions 

• Before: Some products (e.g. raw burgers, sausages) couldn’t be exported to the EU. 

• Now: Restrictions on some products have been lifted, allowing export to the EU. 

Administrative costs 

• Before: High compliance and border-related costs were relatively high, placing burdens on exporters. 

• Now: Simplified administration has reduced these overheads. 

Border delays 

• Before: Delays and long queues at border crossings were common. 

• Now: Processing at the border is expected to be faster, cutting down on wait times. 

Market access 

• Before: Trade friction limited some business opportunities, especially for smaller businesses. 

• Now: Improved market access conditions are opening doors for more businesses. 

Industry stability 

• Before: Post-Brexit uncertainty led to rising costs and instability. 

• Now: The new deal is designed to provide a more predictable and stable trading environment 

It’s important to note that nothing has changed when it comes to food standards – UK food standards remain aligned with the EU, preserving quality. 

What else should you know? 

While this deal brings improvements, a few things are still being worked out. Not all the details are final yet, and how smoothly things go will depend on how the deal is implemented in practice and how the market responds. 

Now is the best time to make sure you stay informed and up to speed on any changes that apply to your specific products – knowing the latest rules can save you time, money and stress. 

Need help making sense of it all? We’re here to support you. Just get in touch and we’ll help guide you through what this new trade landscape means for your business. 

If you’re already a Food Alert client and you’ve got questions, reach out to your free advice line for more help.