UK-EU SPS agreement: what it means for food exporters

In short. The UK-EU SPS agreement is a deal on food safety, animal and plant health that would remove Export Health Certificates and routine port checks on products such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat. In November 2026 a draft agreement was being discussed by EU member states; the UK government is aiming for businesses to benefit from mid-2027.

For Italian and other European food producers, this is the biggest change to UK trade rules since Brexit. It is not in force yet, and the details can still move. But it is concrete enough to start planning for.

What is the UK-EU SPS agreement?

SPS stands for sanitary and phytosanitary: the rules that protect people, animals and plants from diseases and pests carried by food, animals and plant products. Since Brexit, the UK and the EU have had separate SPS systems, which is why many food consignments need certificates and border checks.

On 19 May 2025 the UK and the EU agreed to pursue a common SPS agreement. According to the UK government, it covers food and feed safety, animal and plant health, nutrition and labelling rules, organics, marketing standards and pesticides (Business.gov.uk, UK-EU SPS agreement).

Where are the negotiations now?

Here is the timeline from official sources:

So: there is a draft text, EU governments are examining it, and nothing applies yet. Until the agreement is signed and in force, today's rules stay as they are.

What would change for EU food exporters?

According to the UK government's own summary (Business.gov.uk):

• Export Health Certificates, which can cost up to £200 per consignment, would no longer be required;
• routine border checks by Port Health Authorities on dairy, fish, eggs and red meat imports would be removed;
• fresh produce would reach shelves faster, with less risk of spoilage while waiting at the border.

For an Italian cheese, cured meat or seafood producer, that means fewer documents, lower costs per shipment and fewer surprises at the port. Smaller consignments, which today carry the same certificate cost as a full lorry, could become worth sending.

In return, the UK would align with relevant EU SPS rules. The UK government has said the agreement will require affected businesses to follow relevant parts of EU SPS legislation (UK Parliament, 9 March 2026). For EU producers, who already work to those rules, this is good news: one set of standards for both markets.

What would not change?

The SPS agreement is about food safety, animal and plant health. It is not a customs union. Based on the UK government's guidance, customs formalities would remain (GOV.UK, SPS agreement: preparing your business), and so would the commercial work of entering the market: finding the right buyer, pricing for the UK and labelling for British consumers.

In other words, the agreement removes friction at the border. It does not find you customers. The mistakes we describe in five mistakes Italian companies make in the UK stay just as relevant.

What should you do now?

1. Keep following today's rules. Certificates, pre-notification and checks still apply. Our guide to selling Italian food in the UK explains the current set-up.
2. Recalculate your UK price with and without certificate costs. If border costs fall, your landed price may become more competitive; see our pricing questions every CEO should ask.
3. Use the time to find the right partner. Distributors plan their ranges months ahead. Start the conversation now, with a 2027 launch in mind: here is how to find a distributor in the UK.
4. Talk to your logistics provider and customs broker about what they expect to change, and when.
5. Watch for the final text. Dates and details can still change before signature.

Frequently asked questions

When will the UK-EU SPS agreement come into force?

There is no confirmed date yet. The UK government has said it aims for businesses to benefit from mid-2027, but the agreement still has to be finalised, signed and approved on both sides.

Will Export Health Certificates disappear?

According to the UK government, Export Health Certificates would no longer be required for UK-EU trade once the agreement applies. Check the final text for the exact scope. Until then, they remain mandatory for the products that need them today.

Does the SPS agreement remove customs declarations?

No. Based on UK government guidance, customs formalities would remain. The agreement is about food safety and animal and plant health checks, not customs.

Which products benefit most?

Products of animal origin that face the heaviest controls today, such as dairy, fish, eggs and meat, plus plants and plant products that need phytosanitary certificates.

If you are planning to bring food and drink products to the UK, this is the right moment to prepare the commercial side. That is what our UK Market Entry service is for.