UK and EU advance SPS negotiations

02 January 2026

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On 19 May 2025, the UK and EU agreed a new Strategic Partnership that reaffirmed shared values and a commitment to deeper cooperation against the backdrop of an evolving and complex geopolitical landscape. As part of the deal, both parties agreed to work towards a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area (SPS) agreement in respect of Great Britain, in order to ease the administration on checks of agri-food traded between GB and the EU, and in turn GB and Northern Ireland.

Now, 8 months since the the announcement, advancements have been made by both parties and the first formal negotiations between the EU and the UK have taken place. 

Exceptions

A limited number of exceptions (carve-outs) to dynamic alignment may be negotiated, but only if they:

  • Do not lower standards compared with EU rules
  • Do not disadvantage EU animals or goods entering Great Britain, and
  • Uphold the rule that only EU‑compliant goods can enter the EU.

We understand that UK Government will only be pursuing a small number of exceptions.  

What is an SPS agreement?

An SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement is designed to ease trade in animal‑ and plant‑based agri‑food products. Under the UK–EU Common Understanding, the UK would dynamically align with EU rules on food safety, animal and plant health, consumer protection, organics, pesticides, and marketing standards—essentially sharing a single rule book in these areas. Some exceptions to dynamic alignment may be permitted.

Dynamic alignment would allow most movements of animals, plants, and related products between Great Britain and the EU to occur without SPS certificates or checks.

In return, the UK would make a financial contribution and gain access to certain EU committees, databases, and information systems, though without voting rights and without access to the Council or its preparatory bodies.

The agreement would include a dispute resolution system with an independent arbitration panel, but the EU Court of Justice would retain final authority on matters of EU law.

What progress has been made? 

Following May's announcement, both the EU and the UK had to finalise their negotiation mandates. We understand that the UK Government finalised its negotiation mandate in the summer, while EU Member States approved the EU’s mandate in the Council in November 2025, formally authorising the European Commission to begin negotiations with the UK.

We understand that the first SPS negotiations took place in December 2025, with full negotiations expected to start in early January. 

In a joint press statement published on 17 December 2025, the EU and the UK signalled their shared ambition to conclude the SPS negotiations ahead of the next EU–UK Summit. Although the date of the Summit has not yet been confirmed, the UK Government is working towards the first half of 2026. As a result, negotiations are expected to move quickly.

The BAB office is continuing to work with the UK Farming Unions, UK and devolved Governments and EU officials as these negotiations progress. 

What does this mean for Northern Ireland?

An SPS agreement, together with the Windsor Framework, would greatly facilitate the movement of agri-foods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Until an SPS agreement is concluded and applied, the SPS arrangements under the Windsor Framework continue to apply and need to be delivered in full, both in terms of flexibilities and safeguards.

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