The dynamic alignment that has been in negotiation since last May 2025 received a turbo boost this week with a UK government statement that it was intended the so called sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement would take effect in mid-2027.
The SPS represents a new strategic partnership with the EU on the trade and movement of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food.
The call to the agri-food sector is to “start getting ready now”. The ‘dynamic alignment’ that has been referenced for almost a year seems to be very much for the UK to follow EU requirements. Where there has been divergence it will be for UK businesses to ensure compliance. This includes those that do not currently trade with the EU.
Furthermore, the ‘Brexit benefit’ that has been seen, particularly in the area of novel foods and regulated products, looks less certain now to be the recipient of any ‘carve out’. For those companies who have only sought novel food market authorisation in the UK, or have invested in reliance on the UK’s distinction on gene editing, the future continues to look uncertain.
Whilst a broadbrush approach might indicate the EU and UK work off the same rule book with the same processes and the same standards of safety; the reality is that agri food businesses will now need to look to look at changes in EU rules post Brexit and should start to consider how they would implement those within their businesses where possible, this will span from packaging and packaging waste through to health claims and reporting.
The next FSA board meeting is scheduled for 25 March where the SPS agreement is to be discussed.
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