Easing sanitary and phytosanitary control update

Brexit fundamentally reshaped trading rules between the UK and the European Union. Among the most challenging barriers to British exports are sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on food, plants, and animal products. These measures not only increased costs but also delayed shipments and discouraged many SMEs from trading with the EU single market.

Today, the UK and the EU are working on a big “reset” of their relationship. In this new relationship, both sides have agreed to enter discussions towards an SPS agreement, which would lift SPS controls at the border. This looks increasingly likely, even though a final agreement is still to be reached. That would unlock new opportunities for British businesses, as it would significantly reduce the complexity of exports from the UK to the EU for all products that were subject to these controls so far, so mainly in the agri-food sector.

Discover what it means for your company in this article.

Sanitary and phytosanitary controls: where it started

Following the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU towards the end of 2020, SPS checks became mandatory for a wide range of goods, including plants, meat, dairy, and live animals.¹

If you were affected by it, it translated into:

Longer transport times due to border inspections.
Additional paperwork such as plant health certificates and organic certifications.
Higher costs linked to compliance.

Many companies, particularly SMEs, found these hurdles too heavy and decided to reduce—or even halt—their exports to the EU. Maybe that was your case?

🔎 Get more information about what Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls are.

¹French Ministry of Agriculture and food sovereignty

Sanitary and phytosanitary measures: how reinstated cooperation between the EU and the UK helped

Implications of the "UK-EU reset"

Both the UK and the EU agree on the fact that certain measures can be detrimental to business. In May 2025, the UK-EU Summit marked a step forward in rebuilding cooperation. This “UK-EU reset” covers several key areas— defense, energy, mobility, and food standards.

For agri-food businesses, the most anticipated change is the commitment to ease sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. Both sides agreed on the importance of reducing “unnecessary border checks” that weigh heavily on fresh produce and other perishable goods.²

²UK parliament

How is the UK-EU reset going to affect sanitary and phytosanitary controls?

Although details are still being finalized, the new deal could transform how British exporters trade with the EU:

Removal of plant health certificates
Removal of organic certifications
End of routine border checks on fresh products

If implemented, this agreement would:

#1 Apply to both Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

#2 Align UK SPS rules more closely with EU standards.

#3 Greatly reduce trade barriers and costs for UK agri-food exporters.

For businesses, this means simpler logistics, faster deliveries, and improved competitiveness in the EU market.³

³Fruitnet

Easing sanitary and phytosanitary controls: how the UK Business Centre Lille can guide you

Concrete support to help you navigate Cross-Channel regulations

The UKBC Lille support

With the prospect of easier trading conditions, you might be looking to expand into the EU market.

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Experts at the UK Business Centre Lille are here to guide you and explore business opportunities in France and Northern France through our wide networks of partners.

Our services include

Customs, commercial and/ or VAT representation

Open a bank account in France

Domiciliate your business in France

Business development advice

Optimise your logistics

Set up your business in Northern France

« It is like a helping hand to set-up shop versus going online and just Google translating everything from French to English which can be quite daunting. »

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“The UK Business Centre Lille has been absolutely fantastic, connecting us with people that I never would have had the ability to connect with before (…) It helped us tremendously and gave us real peace of mind”

Do you want to access the EU market more easily?

Discover how our Cross-Channel experts can support you

We create tailored support to give you concrete solution to access the EU market and fast-track your development.

#1Express your needs

#2We contact you back to discuss how we can help you

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Key points to remember from the easing of sanitary and phytosanitary controls

Brexit created SPS barriers that increased costs and delays for agri-food exports.

The UK-EU reset is set to improve cooperation in strategic sectors, including the food sector.

Upcoming SPS changes could eliminate the need for plant health certificates, organic certifications, and routine border checks however no information so far has been shared as to when it is going to be implemented.

The deal covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland, aligning SPS rules more closely with EU standards.

Opportunities ahead: smoother trade flows and reduced costs could make the EU market more accessible for British SMEs.