The UK government has reached an agreement with the European Union to simplify trade procedures for food, plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables. The upcoming Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) deal is set to reduce paperwork and remove routine border checks, aiming to address trade barriers that have impacted the sector since the UK's departure from the EU.
The deal is expected to support the UK's £38 billion environmental horticulture industry and potentially benefit an estimated 722,000 jobs. Industry groups believe the agreement could restore trade flow and provide long-term certainty to businesses. The new measures are projected to add over £5 billion annually to the UK economy and increase agricultural exports by approximately 16%.
On 16 July 2025, EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds visited New Covent Garden Market in London to meet with traders and discuss the effects of post-Brexit trade barriers. The market, which houses 137 businesses, has an annual turnover of £944 million and plays a significant role in supplying fresh produce and flowers across the capital.
Since Brexit, UK agri-food exports to the EU have declined by 21%, with imports down by 7% between 2018 and 2024. Businesses in the horticultural sector have reported increased operational costs, administrative burdens, and delays at border checkpoints. In some cases, products have become non-tradable due to regulatory requirements.
The new UK-EU SPS agreement will remove the need for phytosanitary certificates, which currently cost businesses around £25 each. Routine border inspections will also be eliminated, reducing delays and simplifying the movement of goods. The deal includes provisions to ease the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by reducing the frequency of checks.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said the changes could reduce ongoing uncertainty and financial pressure on horticulture businesses. She welcomed the government's engagement with industry stakeholders and called for both UK and EU authorities to move quickly to implement the agreement.
The UK imported £748.2 million worth of plants and plant material in the past year, with 99% of these imports coming from EU countries. The new deal will not have a time limit, aiming to provide long-term predictability for traders across the sector.
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