UK and EU agree draft deal to remove food-export checks

According to the BBC, EU member countries have received the 200-page draft in Brussels ahead of a meeting this week. The proposed agreement would remove checks on exports of food and agricultural products introduced after Britain left the EU single market.

The documents circulated also include draft agreements covering emissions trading and a scheme for young people to travel and work. A separate, 15-page draft sets out a joint statement for senior UK and EU leaders.

The BBC reported that the British government puts the eventual annual economic benefit of the food agreement at £5.1 billion (€6.1 billion). The agreement forms part of the UK-EU effort to reset relations after Brexit.

For Wyke Farms, a family-owned cheesemaker based in Somerset, export administration is a practical concern. Managing director Richard Clothier said the business wanted to devote its time to producing British food and expanding overseas sales rather than dealing with unnecessary paperwork.

Clothier said a suitably designed SPS agreement could make sales to neighbouring European countries less costly and complex. More straightforward and predictable market access would, he said, increase the company's confidence to invest and expand, supporting the British farmers supplying its milk.

He also described the proposed agreement as an opportunity to improve British food's competitiveness abroad and strengthen the longer-term future of farming and food production in the UK.