Transition period after UK-EU SPS agreement rejected in Government’s response to EFRA report

EFRA Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Our report was primarily concerned with ensuring that the Government puts its best foot forward in negotiating a new SPS deal with the EU, one that supports our farmers and growers, and we welcome the Government’s positive response to many of our recommendations.

“It is disappointing, however, that Ministers have disagreed with our call to give businesses a transition period to adjust to what could be very disruptive changes coming down the track. With headwinds already howling in their direction, the sector needs all the help it can get.

“It is reassuring, at least, that DEFRA appears to have belatedly awoken other departments – most importantly the Home Office – to the need for an action plan to reduce illegal meat imports. Ministers must know by now that this is a rapidly growing problem with potentially devastating consequences. Swift action is required.

“Despite the Government’s previous enthusiasm to negotiate an additional agreement to improve veterinary medicines access in Northern Ireland, the wording of their response on this point – that Ministers are now merely ‘open to’ a deal – is likely to raise some eyebrows. If the Government is now lowering its ambitions in this area that will be a great disappointment to many. They would be well-advised to provide clarity on this point.”

‘Action plan’ promised to tackle illegal meat imports

In its response to the Committee’s report, DEFRA says it has “established a new Illegal Imports Improvement project”. Its first output will be an “action plan” with input from the Food Standards Agency, Home Office, Border Force and others. “This will consider demand, alongside other areas, and prioritise resource where evidence suggests the greatest impact will be delivered,” it says.

Promised cross-Ministerial meetings shelved since July

The Minister Baroness Hayman told the Committee during its inquiry that regular cross-departmental meetings of ministers would be held to discuss ways to tackle the imports of illegal meat products. But the response states that the group, Chaired by a Home Office Minister, has only met once (in July 2025) and is due to meet again “in the spring, although this is not confirmed”. Despite this, the Government maintains that “the group can play a role in co-ordinating cross-government activity in response to illegal meat imports”.

Negotiating a veterinary agreement

The Government rejects MPs’ recommendation of pursuing a veterinary medicines agreement in tandem with SPS negotiations. It says concerns about availability of medicines should be addressed by two schemes it launched earlier this year – the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme and Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme. The response says Ministers are “open to” working with the EU and other international trading partners on the regulation of veterinary medicines.

No transition period to help industry

The Government maintains that the SPS agreement will take effect from mid-2027. It effectively rejects the Committee’s recommendation that a 24-month transition period should be agreed to enable businesses to adapt to new regulations and processes. The response says: “We know that some businesses require longer to adjust to the new arrangements and will continue to work with them to ensure a smooth transition.”

An animal welfare carve-out

The response agrees with the Committee’s recommendation that Ministers should seek a carve-out from dynamic alignment on regulations regarding animal welfare, and avoid UK industry being undercut by products from countries with lower standards. Although this will be subject to negotiation with the EU, the Government says it “will continue to champion the importance of high standards of animal welfare and promote best practice around the world.” It adds: “We will keep working collaboratively with our international partners as part of this to promote robust standards nationally and internationally.”

Pesticide regulations should be consulted on

The Government says the UK should be consulted during policy-making on regulations for pesticides and levels of naturally occurring mycotoxins in fruit and vegetables. The Committee is concerned that extra burdens could be placed on growers if the EU, in future, develops regulations that may not be necessary in UK growing conditions.

Protections for precision breeding

The Government says the future of regulations that could impact precision breeding are up for negotiation with the EU, but that the UK has communicated that this is a matter where it should continue to have its “own rules”. In January the Government announced new funding to support the development of genetically modified products such as vitamin D-enriched tomatoes and low-emission fertilisers.

Meanwhile, on the issue of devolved nations having different regulations on the sale of precision-bred products, which could affect trade between UK nations, the response says it will “continue” to engage with devolved nations in this area.

Learning lessons from the Border Target Operating Model

The Government agrees to the recommendation to evaluate how BTOMs were rolled out, including by taking feedback from port health authorities and traders, and to learn lessons to inform any future changes to border policy. It also suggests it is exploring ways to compensate authorities for the investment they made in border infrastructure.

Survey the public on personal import rules

DEFRA has taken forward the Committee’s recommendation on improving the way it uses surveys to understand the level of public knowledge of personal import rules regarding meat and plant products. MPs said this was necessary given how reliant biosecurity policy is on people abiding by the rules. The survey results will be published in May, however DEFRA has not responded to the Committee’s recommendation that officials share with MPs details of the methodology they will use when carrying out the survey.