SPS agreement: preparing your business

The government is forming a new strategic partnership with the EU on the trade and movement of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food. This is called a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.

It is our intent that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) knows that some businesses will need longer to adjust to the new arrangements. We will work with those businesses to make sure there is a smooth transition. Every business in the agri-food sector should start to prepare for the changes now.

Exact timings of when arrangements will change are subject to the outcome of ongoing negotiations. We will publish updates as negotiations progress.

Read more about the agreement and its expected benefits.