The United Kingdom has announced the suspension of planned additional border checks on live animal imports from the European Union, aiming to facilitate trade ahead of a forthcoming agreement designed to streamline UK-EU relations. This decision also extends to certain animal and plant goods imported from Ireland.
In May 2025, the UK and the EU reached a significant Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and eliminate routine border checks on plant and animal products moving between the two regions. The deal seeks to maintain high food safety standards while easing trade flows. However, the implementation of this agreement is still pending, as negotiations continue to finalize the details.
Until the SPS agreement is enacted, British traders are required to comply with the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which includes existing checks to protect the country’s biosecurity. The suspension of additional border checks aligns with a previous announcement in June, which removed checks on EU fruit and vegetable imports to ease trade ahead of the SPS deal.
The UK government has emphasized that protecting biosecurity remains a priority. Risk-based surveillance will continue to manage potential threats from imported goods. The suspension will be reviewed regularly to ensure that the UK’s biosecurity is effectively maintained.
The forthcoming SPS agreement is part of a broader effort to reset UK-EU relations by reducing paperwork and eliminating routine border checks on plant and animal products, while still upholding high food safety standards. The UK government has not yet provided a timeline for the implementation of the SPS agreement.
This move is expected to benefit British businesses by cutting red tape and speeding up the flow of agrifood trade at the border. The government anticipates that the SPS agreement will save businesses time and money, contributing to the broader goal of economic growth and improved trade relations with the EU.
The suspension of additional border checks follows the UK’s gradual implementation of post-Brexit border arrangements, which have been phased in since January last year. The government continues to work with stakeholders, including the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Control Post operators, and Port Health Authorities, to maintain biosecurity while minimizing disruption to the flow of goods.
As the UK and the EU continue to negotiate the finer details of the SPS agreement, both parties remain committed to enhancing trade relations and ensuring the smooth movement of goods across borders. The suspension of additional border checks is a positive step toward achieving these objectives, with the potential to strengthen economic ties and support businesses on both sides.
Leave a comment