At the UK-EU summit on 19 May, the UK and EU announced that we will agree a SPS Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

You can see full details of the announcements here: UK/EU Summit – Key documentation – GOV.UK

In light of the plans set out at the summit, the United Kingdom and devolved governments have decided to pause implementation of further import controls on imports of EU and EFTA live animals, and non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods arriving from Ireland and Northern Ireland. BTOM controls that are already in place will continue until further notice, and the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected.

While negotiations continue, we will review the decision to pause further BTOM implementation for these commodities as further detail and SPS Agreement timelines are confirmed.

For live animal imports, we will maintain the existing system of controls on Rest of World imports through Border Control Posts (BCPs), and we will continue to undertake remote documentary checks and checks on EU and EFTA imports at destination.

For non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods arriving from Ireland and Northern Ireland, this pause means that, where required, pre-notification and certification will continue.

Current controls on goods transiting GB between Ireland and the mainland EU will remain in place. The current easement on certain medium risk fruits and vegetables from the EU, CH and LI will be temporarily extended, as per recent correspondence.

We recognise the need for certainty and are committed to keeping traders and local authorities informed. While SPS Agreement details and timelines are still being finalised, we will continue engaging with stakeholders and will provide clear notice ahead of any changes.