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Reason for the changes Ìý

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.

Why  this matters Ìý

The SPS agreement will shape how animal and public health standards are set and applied, including through certification and compliance. This will apply to all businesses, not just those that import and export.ÌýÌý

Veterinary professionals playÌýan important roleÌýin supporting animal health, certification,ÌýbiosecurityÌýand regulatory processes across the sector.Ìý

Understanding the potential direction of SPS-related changes will help veterinary professionals:Ìý

• support discussions with clients and animal ownersÌý
• understand how future changes may affect certification, assurance, and operational processesÌýÌý
• identifyÌýwhere further information or clarification may be needed over timeÌý
• offerÌýsupportÌýto clientsÌýas more detailed information becomes availableÌýto help prepare them for the changesÌý

This information is intended to support early understandingÌýofÌýtheÌýchanges andÌýensure a smooth transition across the sector.ÌýÌý

WhatÌýitÌýmeansÌýfor theÌýveterinary sectorÌý

These changesÌýwill affect:Ìý

• requirements for certification and documentationÌýÌý
• the time needed to support compliance and advisory workÌýÌý
• questions and support clientsÌýrequireÌý(including farmers, businesses, and pet owners)Ìý
• standards and processes that underpin animal health, publicÌýhealthÌýand tradeÌýÌý

Not all changes will applyÌýimmediatelyÌýbutÌýunderstanding them early can help you prepare and support your clients.Ìý

What businesses should know at this stage Ìý

Organisations and businesses,ÌýincludingÌýveterinarians, are encouraged toÌýcontinueÌýengagingÌýwith the processÌýtoÌýbe readyÌýby mid-2027. You can do thisÌýby keeping informedÌýthroughÌýopening conversations with your relevant associations, to support readiness for compliance by mid‑2027.  Ìý

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.Ìý

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

As negotiations with the EU are ongoing, not all 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

Official vets and animal movement certificationÌý

ExportÌýhealthÌýcertificates for animals and products of animal origin will no longer beÌýrequiredÌýfor GreatÌýBritainÌýto EU movements once the agreement is in force. In some cases, they will beÌýreplacedÌýby Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates (ITAHCs).ÌýÌý

Official Veterinarians (OVs) and authorised certifiers may have a greater role in:Ìý

• compliance verificationÌý
• control system auditsÌý
• enforcement and assuranceÌý

Many checks will no longer take place on goods moving between GreatÌýBritainÌýand the EU, some checks will remain (such as, on live animals and germinal products).ÌýChecks will no longer take place atÌýborderÌýcontrolÌýpostsÌý(BCPs).Ìý

Imports from non-EU third countries which enter Great Britain willÌýneedÌýto meet EU import requirements and be checked atÌýBCPs inÌýGreat Britain.ÌýThisÌýwill apply ifÌýthe consignment’s destination is Great Britain, NorthernÌýIrelandÌýor an EU member state. Once checked, the consignments will be free to move onto their place of destinationÌýinÌýGreat Britain, NorthernÌýIrelandÌýor the EU.Ìý

IfÌýanimals, products of animal origin, animal by-products and germinal products are rejected at an EU BCP, updated EU aligned rules will apply to returning them.Ìý

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and FloraÌý(CITES) controls are separate andÌýadditionalÌýto those for SPS and will continue to be in place after the implementation of the SPSÌýagreement. This means that for CITES species and specimens, relevant CITES permits will stillÌýbe required.ÌýÌýÌý

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GreatÌýBritainÌýwill be aligning with the EU on residue limits and surveillance of residues from veterinary medicines.ÌýÌýÌý

Great BritainÌýis not aligning with the EU’s veterinary medicines’ authorisations regime as this is not in scope of the SPSÌýagreement. TheÌýgovernmentÌýremainsÌýopen to working with the EU and other international trading partners on the regulation of veterinary medicines to reduce regulatory burdens,ÌýandÌýtoÌýimproveÌýanimalÌýhealth and welfare.Ìý

Animal keepersÌý

There will be new rules, such as traceability and identification requirements for keepersÌýof animals, including:Ìý

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• captive birdsÌý
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• small ruminants Ìý
• aquatic animalsÌý

These changesÌýwill affect how animals are recorded,ÌýmonitoredÌýand move inÌýGreat Britain.ÌýThis could have implications for vets and aquatic animal health professionals. Find more information about food production, plants, animals and associated sectors.

There will be changes to the way in which diseases and outbreaks are managed,ÌýrecordedÌýand reported. Biosecurity will remain a core priority.ÌýÌý

We will continue to take national action to protect our biosecurity.ÌýÌý

Pet travelÌý

Travelling to the EU with pet dogs, cats and ferrets is expected to become easier and cheaper. Pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for EU travel, rather than obtaining a newÌýanimalÌýhealthÌýcertificate for each trip.Ìý

In the meantime, owners will still need anÌýanimalÌýhealthÌýcertificate for their dog,ÌýcatÌýor ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country. Owners can checkÌýcurrentÌýrequirements for travel to the EU:ÌýTaking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to an EU country.ÌýÌý

Importing and exporting Ìý

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 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

Customs controls will remain.Ìý

Great Britain to Northern Ireland movements Ìý

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

This will meanÌýexportÌýhealthÌýcertificates andÌýphytosanitary certificates, and the checks and controls associated with them, will no longer beÌýrequired.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 – 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, vets or certification bodies) about potential future changesÌý
• check with trusted sector organisations or trade bodies for any sector specific advice and updatesÌý

There are also some sector-specific actions that you may wish toÌýconsider, including:ÌýÌý

• how the coming changes may affect your area of workÌýÌý
• review where your roleÌýand yourÌýworkloadÌýmay be impacted (such asÌýcertification, advisory support,ÌýorÌýcompliance)  Ìý
• begin early, proactive engagement with clients, businesses and stakeholders to raise awareness of potential changes and help manage expectationsÌý
• consider whether the upcoming changes may require additional training or professional developmentÌý
• discussÌýthe emerging changes with colleagues and your professional networks  Ìý
• identify areas where more clarity, information or supportÌýmay be needed and stay informed as more information becomes available

ExceptionsÌý

The EU has accepted there will need to be areas whereÌýGreat Britain 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 nextÌýÌý

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  informed Ìý

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 get additional support from 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:  Ìý
• read the updates for OVs in theÌýAPHA briefing notes found at  â¶Ä“ OVs will be notified by email as these are published