World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
UK and EU agree draft deal to ease food trade checks
The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal to reduce checks on food trade after Brexit.
It would allow UK exports of fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish from domestic waters and seed potatoes to resume, and restore passports for UK pets travelling to the EU.
The UK would follow and adapt to EU rules on plant, animal and food standards, a process known as dynamic alignment.
This matters because the post-Brexit trade deal prioritised UK regulatory freedom, but businesses have faced extra paperwork, checks and delays.
Supermarkets and farming representatives support the food trade plans, while some pro-Brexit campaigners oppose applying EU rules again.
EU ambassadors are due to discuss the draft on Wednesday, and some details still need to be finalised.
The UK government has also said it wants to use this month's summit to discuss the country's longer-term relationship with the EU.
The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal to ease checks on food trade.
The agreement would let some UK exports, including fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish from domestic waters and seed potatoes, resume.
The UK would commit to following and adapting to EU rules on plant, animal and food trade standards, a process known as dynamic alignment.
The deal would also allow passports for UK pets travelling to the EU.
The draft agreements are due to be discussed by EU ambassadors, while some business groups support closer ties and pro-Brexit campaigners criticise renewed application of EU rules.
- Who
- The UK and the EU.
- What
- They have agreed a draft deal to ease food trade checks. It would allow some UK exports to the EU to resume.
- When
- The articles were published on 3 November 2026. The draft agreements are due to be discussed on Wednesday.
- Where
- The UK and the EU.
- Why
- To ease checks and red tape on food trade between the UK and the EU.
Supermarkets and farmers' representatives
Pro-Brexit campaigners
The draft food trade plans
Supermarkets and farmers' representatives
They have backed the plans.
Pro-Brexit campaigners
They have criticised the reapplication of EU rules.
The BBC published its report on the draft UK-EU deal.
EU ambassadors are due to discuss the draft agreements at a meeting called Coreper.
- Resuming exports
- Fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish from domestic waters and seed potatoes
- UK commitment
- Dynamic alignment with EU plant, animal and food trade standards
- Pet travel
- Passports for UK pets taken into the EU
- Meeting
- EU ambassadors are due to discuss the draft agreements at Coreper on Wednesday
What people are saying
The evidence from businesses suggests that the prime minister is right to have initiated a conversation on our future relationship with Europe, and he deserves real credit for having done so.
Government needs to examine all of the options, remain clear-headed about the trade-offs each involves, and involve business in the decision-making process from the start,