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Reason for the changesÌýÌýÌý

The UK government isÌýnegotiating an agreementÌýwith 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.ÌýThese arrangements will applyÌýwhether or notÌýyou trade directly with the EU.ÌýIt 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.

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 matters Ìý

The SPS agreement  will shape how standards are set and applied across the food sector. Specifically, the changes may: Ìý

• affect what you produce and how you do this, including the standards that you have to meet  Ìý
• open up new opportunities for trade and change the way you do this Ìý
• impact costs and processes Ìý
• affect you through supply chains Ìý Ìý

What this means for the genetic technologies sector Ìý

Genetically modified organisms Ìý Ìý

The UK government will align with EU rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) under the SPS ²¹²µ°ù±ð±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ù. Ìý

The expectation is that you should experience minimal changes as a result of the alignment.Ìý

Alignment will give operators clearer and more predictable requirements when working with GMOs to support long-term investment and innovation. 

The improvements could support access to a larger market, increased production for UK businesses and greater product choice for consumers. Ìý

Under the agreement, authorisations for GMOs will revert to EU single market processes. Ìý

This meansÌýthat,Ìýwhile there has not been notable divergence between GreatÌýBritainÌýand EU in howÌýGMOsÌýare regulated,ÌýGMO marketing authorisationsÌý(that had become theÌýsole responsibility of Great Britain competent authorities)Ìýwill revert to aÌýcentralisedÌýEUÌýresponsibility.ÌýÌý

Holders of Great Britain marketingÌýauthorisationsÌýwill need to satisfy themselves that their GMO isÌýalsoÌýauthorisedÌýin the EU. You need to check the EU’s community register of genetically modified food and feed to determine whether you need to reformulate any of your products or change the products you use to comply with EU rules under the SPS ²¹²µ°ù±ð±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ù. â¶Ä¯Ìý

If you intend to submit applications for authorisation, you will need to follow the  under the SPS ²¹²µ°ù±ð±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ù. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯Ìý

Businesses making market authorisation applications will need to follow the updated transparency rules in the .

This means businesses will be required to proactively disclose and notify EFSA of commissioned studies. to clarify some of the updated rules, which businesses will need to review. Ìý

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The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 applies in England only and sets out a proportionate and science-based regulatory framework for precision breeding that encourages innovation and enables products to be brought to market more easily.ÌýÌý

This legislationÌýregulatesÌýprecision bred organisms inÌýaÌýdifferent wayÌýto that done underÌýtheÌýEUÌýGMO °ù±ð²µ³Ü±ô²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²õ.ÌýÌý

Precision breeding is subject to ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU as part of the SPS agreement.ÌýThe EU have accepted there will need to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules.Ìý

As these negotiations are continuing, detailed guidance for businesses is not being provided at this stage. Further information will be provided once negotiations conclude.Ìý

What businesses should know at this stageÌý

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 moreÌýdetail 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 ofÌýtheÌýdetails 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

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, phytosanitary certificates and 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 checks on rest of 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

Great Britain to Northern Ireland movementsÌý

Under the SPS agreement, most agrifood goods will not need routine SPS certificates, checks and paperwork when moving from Great BritainÌýto Northern Ireland.Ìý

This will meanÌýexportÌýhealthÌýcertificates andÌýphytosanitary certificates, and the checks and controls associated with them, will no longer beÌýrequired.Ìý

This will apply to all products that can be moved into the EU. This will include all food for processing, many retail products and, for example, plants for planting, seeds and used agricultural and forestry machinery.

The final restrictions on the movement of certain tree species will disappear.Ìý

ÌýThe Windsor Framework will continue to apply, addressing Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances and safeguarding the Good Friday Agreement. ThisÌýfacilitatesÌýNorthern Ireland’s dual market access to both the UK internal market and the EU single market.Ìý

In practice, the movement schemes set up under the Windsor Framework should no longer be needed, other than potentially for a limited number of goods not covered by the agreement. The Northern Ireland plant health label (NIPHL) scheme will not be needed at all.Ìý

Early considerations for your businessÌý

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

• and the to 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 –Ìýcheck how to prepare your businessÌý
• review your current supply chains and movements (including domestic movements and movements from Great BritainÌýto 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
• speakÌýtoÌýrelevant 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

Exceptions  Ìý Ìý

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

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.ÌýÌý

What happens nextÌý

It is ourÌýintentionÌýthat 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.Ìý
• autumn 2026Ìý–Ìýdetailed guidance and support, including checklistsÌýand practical tools,Ìýmade availableÌý
• mid-2027Ìý– agreement takes effect (subject to negotiations)Ìý

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

Stay informedÌý

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

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

You can alsoÌýget additional supportÌýfrom other government agencies if you are a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Contact: Ìý

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