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last mo.

UK scraps border checks on EU fruit and vegetables in new SPS deal

The government says the pause will save around £200 million in supply chain costs, extend the exemption to January 2027, paving the way for a full food trade accord with the EU.

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Overview

  • Planned controls on ‘medium-risk’ produce due July 1, 2025, have been cancelled, marking the fourth delay of these Brexit-era checks.
  • The sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with Brussels removes routine inspections on certain plant and animal products and aligns UK and EU food standards.
  • Officials estimate businesses will avoid roughly £200 million in additional supply chain costs during the exemption period.
  • The exemption runs until January 31, 2027, serving as a contingency while London and Brussels negotiate a comprehensive SPS framework.
  • Industry figures, including Fresh Produce Consortium chief Nigel Jenney, have praised the move as common-sense and said it cuts bureaucracy for supermarkets and SMEs.