Policy wins - May 2025: EU/UK reset

With the current requirement for SPS checks on plant and animal products moving from GB to Northern Ireland, and between GB and EU and vice versa adding time, bureaucracy and cost to UK traders and logistics operators, Logistics UK has been consistent in calling for a comprehensive SPS Agreement between both economies.  

The business group has been making the case robustly to government and is delighted at this commitment to work towards a joint agreement that should smooth the passage of agrifood and plant products while protecting the UK’s biosecurity along these critical trading routes  

Therefore, Logistics UK has welcomed this announcement, describing how it has the potential to drive growth throughout the UK by boosting GB agrifood and plant product trade to Northern Ireland and between GB and the EU, through reduced bureaucracy, costs, wastage and border delays.  

Whilst technical details are yet to be agreed, the business group will continue to urge the UK government and EU to be ambitious in this ongoing reset of relations and in the upcoming review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.  

In addition to the SPS agreement, Logistics also welcomes the commitment to work towards linking the UK and EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Rather than running two separate systems which the maritime industry - carriers and shippers - would have to navigate and pay for - the UK has agreed to dynamically align with the EU system which will exempt UK shippers from having to pay the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).  

Logistics UK responded to the government consultation on the future of the UK ETS, making the case for alignment between the two schemes. 

Fruit and veg import checks will not be introduced this summer  

The UK government recently announced plans for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU, to make agrifood and plant trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier.  

This includes a commitment for the UK to keep our rules in line with the EU as part of a common SPS area. This planned agreement will facilitate the reduction of barriers to trade, including costly Export Health Certificates and routine import checks on SPS goods moving between GB and the EU (and vice versa).  

During the implementation of the new BTOM import controls in 2024, an easement was placed on medium risk fruit and vegetables imported into GB from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CH and LI) exempting them from the additional costs and checks required on medium risk products to give businesses more time to prepare. The current easement on medium risk fruits and vegetables from the EU, CH and LI was due to end on 1 July 2025.

However, as the planned SPS Agreement is worked out, the UK government has announced that the current easement will be temporarily extended to the end of the Transitional Staging Period (TSP), 31 January 2027. 

Published On: 05/06/2025 14:33:39

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