Environment Secretary Angela Eagle announced that a new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement between the UK and the EU is expected to substantially reduce costs for the horticultural sector by streamlining border procedures. The deal, largely negotiated in May, aims to eliminate most physical inspections and accompanying documentation requirements for plant and agricultural products crossing between the two regions.
The cumulative annual costs currently borne by horticulture businesses amount to £60m, according to calculations by the Horticultural Trades Association. These expenses encompass plant health inspection fees, phytosanitary certificates, document and identification checks, port fees, agent commissions, labour costs, and additional transportation expenses. The anticipated removal of these charges is expected to create downward pressure on food pricing, though Eagle declined to guarantee specific price reductions for consumers.
The UK’s departure from the European Union triggered the implementation of border controls on plant, food, and animal product shipments. This transition has significantly impacted British agricultural exporters, with food and drink exports to the EU declining by more than one-third since Brexit took effect, according to analysis from the National Farmers’ Union. Various producers, including those specializing in eggs, chicken, and potatoes, have been particularly affected by the new trade barriers.
Some businesses have already invested substantially in infrastructure to manage post-Brexit trading requirements. Provender Nurseries, a major wholesale operation in Kent, spent at least £500,000 constructing a dedicated control facility with specialized equipment. However, this facility will become unnecessary once the agreement is implemented. The deal is not anticipated to take effect until the first quarter of 2028, meaning affected businesses will continue operating under current border arrangements for more than a year following the anticipated November signature.
The implementation timeline represents a delay from the original mid-2027 target announced following a prior EU reset initiative. Eagle attributed the extended timeline to political transitions and the need to address complex issues, including disagreements over pesticide usage that differs between the UK and EU regulations. Industry representatives have expressed cautious optimism about the agreement while emphasizing the importance of understanding final details and securing interim relief measures.
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