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Reason for the changesÌý

The UK government is negotiating an agreement with the EU on the trade and movement of plants, plant products, animals, animal products,ÌýfeedÌýand food. This is called a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.Ìý

The agreement means Great Britain (England,ÌýScotlandÌýand Wales) and Northern Ireland will apply certain rules in line with the EU. These arrangements will applyÌýwhether or notÌýyou trade directly with the EU. It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027.Ìý

As EU rules change in the future, rules in Great Britain will update too. The UK will contribute to the decision-shaping process on future EU rules that will also apply in Great Britain.Ìý

Read more about the benefits inÌýthe UK-EU SPS agreement – information for businesses news story.Ìý

As negotiations are ongoing, not all details are confirmed at this stage. This includes detailed requirements and the exact timing of when arrangements will change. We recognise that some businesses will take longer to comply and we are committed to working with them to ensure a smooth transition. Further information will be provided following the completion of negotiations.Ìý

WhyÌýthis mattersÌý

This is relevant to allÌýzootech-registered animal breeders across Great Britain,Ìýwhether or notÌýyou import or export pedigree animals or germinal materials.Ìý

We will dynamically align with under the SPS agreement.ÌýÌý

AllÌýzootech-registeredÌýbreed societies andÌýbreedingÌýbodiesÌýin GreatÌýBritainÌýwill beÌýcoveredÌýby this agreement, whether they trade with the EU or onlyÌýoperateÌýwithin Great Britain. This willÌýensureÌýtheÌýGreatÌýBritainÌýand EU zootech regimes remain aligned, avoiding barriers to the movement of pedigree breeding animals and germinal materials between Great Britain and the EU. ÌýÌý

It will also mean that Great BritainÌýbreeding bodies willÌýoperateÌýunder the EUÌýzootechnicalÌýregime,Ìýwhether or notÌýtheyÌýare involved in imports and exports.Ìý

What this means for theÌýzootechÌýsector

The GreatÌýBritainÌýand EUÌýzootechÌýregimes haveÌýremainedÌýlargely alignedÌýsince EU Exit and the effect ofÌýthe SPS agreementÌýis expected to be minimal, and include:Ìý

• small changesÌýto the appearance of zootechnical certificatesÌý
• GreatÌýBritainÌýzootech-recognised breeding societies will have the same rights as thoseÌýestablishedÌýin the EU – for example,Ìýto extend breeding programmes into the EU

You do not need to take any action now in relation to zootechnical requirements, though we recommend that you sign up for further information and updates.Ìý

What businesses should know at this stageÌý

Organisations and businesses, includingÌýthoseÌýoperatingÌýunder theÌýzootechÌýrules, are encouraged to continue engaging with the process to be ready by mid-2027. You can do this by keeping informed throughÌýyourÌýbreed societyÌýor competent authority.ÌýÌý

At this stage, you are not expected to make detailed changes. You should consider the changes to requirements and how they could affect your business. The government will provide more detail inÌýsummer 2026, including next steps.ÌýÌýÌý

What we know now (and what will be confirmed later)Ìý

As negotiations with the EU are ongoing, notÌýall ofÌýthe details are confirmed at this stage. This information outlines what is known now to help you start planning, with further detail to follow later this year.ÌýÌýÌý

If you import or export live animals or germinal materials under the zootechnical rules, you are likely to be affected by wider changes arising from the SPS agreement. We recommend that youÌýengage withÌýtheÌýwider guidance being issued in relation to the movement of animals and germinal materials.

Businesses will need to align with the EU’sÌýZootechÌýRegulation, covering trade in purebred breeding animals, hybrid breeding pigs and the germinal products.​ ​There have been no substantive changes between the EU rules and GreatÌýBritain’s rules following EU Exit, so changes for businessesÌýare expected toÌýbe minimal.Ìý ​​Ìý

Currently onlyÌýcertainÌýarticles of the EUÌýZootechÌýRegulation applyÌýin respect ofÌýNorthern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Solutions which will allow NorthernÌýIrelandÌýto be fully aligned to GreatÌýBritainÌýare being explored.​ Ìý

Importing and exportingÌý

The new SPS agreement is relevant to all businesses and organisations involved in importing and exporting SPS goods between the UK,ÌýEUÌýand the rest of the world.Ìý

For trade between Great Britain and the EU, the SPS agreement will reduce the requirements for routine SPS documentation and controls. The requirements for export health certificates, phytosanitaryÌýcertificatesÌýand routine border checks for most agrifood goods will be removed. Alignment with EU rules will mean there will be alignment with the EU’s approach to checksÌýon restÌýof world SPS trade. Requirements for trade with countries outside the EU will also continue to apply, in line with international rules.Ìý

The agreement is not a customs agreement, and so customs controls will remain.Ìý

EarlyÌýconsiderations for your businessÌýÌýÌý

To prepare for the UK-EU SPS agreement, you can now take the following steps:Ìý

• Ìýand theÌýÌýto receive the latest updatesÌý
• check whether the SPS agreement is likely to apply to your business, especially if you produce, handle, move or trade animals, animal products, plants, plant products,ÌýfoodÌýor feed – check how to prepare your businessÌý
• review your current supply chains and movements (including domestic movements and movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland) to understand where SPS requirements may applyÌý
• consider where your business currently follows EU rules and where you may have diverged since EU ExitÌý
• speak to relevant partners (for example suppliers, customers, hauliers,ÌývetsÌýor certification bodies) about potential future changesÌý
• check with trusted sector organisations or trade bodies for any sector specific advice and updatesÌý

Many businesses will get the most relevant advice on any specific questions through trusted routes, such as vets, agronomists, advisors,ÌýprocessorsÌýand trade bodies.Ìý

ExceptionsÌý

The EU has accepted there will need to be areas where the UK willÌýretainÌýits own rules, as set out in theÌýMay 2025 Common Understanding. Details of these are subject to the ongoing negotiation.ÌýÌý

The government has been clear about the importance of being able to:Ìý

• set high animal welfare standardsÌý
• support public healthÌý
• support the use of new and innovative technologiesÌý

Further information will be provided following the completion of the negotiations.Ìý

What happens nextÌý

It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. Some detailed requirements and exact timings of when arrangements will change are still being finalised as part of ongoing negotiations.ÌýÌý

Defra will continue to work with the sector to help shape future communications, guidance and support as further detail becomes available. We have set up an SPS Readiness Business Advisory Council, which is now meeting regularly. The council includes major trade associations and businesses.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

The following timeline sets out the expected stages for introducing the SPS agreement and when further information will be published:Ìý

• summer 2026 – further details on upcoming changes announced, including on any exceptions and transition periods
• autumn 2026 – detailed guidance and support, including checklists and practical tools, made availableÌý
• mid-2027 – agreement takes effect (subject to negotiations)Ìý

Further information will be provided following the completion of negotiations.Ìý

Stay informedÌýÌýÌý

We will continue to publish updates as further detail is confirmed. To keep up to date, you can:Ìý

• sign up for  and the Ìý
• engage with your trade body or industry association for sector-specific updates, where relevantÌý

You can also getÌýadditionalÌýsupport from other government agencies if you are a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Contact:ÌýÌý

• Department for Business and Trade:Ìý a question
• Food Standards Agency:Ìý