Food sector calls for transition period if UK and EU agree post-Brexit rules reset

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Lisa O’CarrollJanuary 29, 2026 at 01:01 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

British food sector representatives are advocating for a transition period if the UK and EU agree to realign post-Brexit agricultural regulations. They warn that abruptly aligning standards could cost UK businesses £500m-£810m annually due to regulatory divergence since Brexit. Concerns stem from ongoing UK-EU talks aimed at a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement to reduce trade barriers. The NFU highlights that crops grown under current UK rules might become unsellable in the EU if regulations change without a transition. The push for regulatory alignment seeks to address increased red tape that has negatively impacted UK-EU trade, costing the UK billions. Talks began last week in London, with the goal of reducing Brexit paperwork for both sides.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Calais 30% The Andersons Centre 40% Ursula von der Leyen 50% David Bench 50% Keir Starmer 50% Croplife ×260% National Farmers’ Union (NFU) ×270% European Union ×1090% UK ×890%

Keywords

brexit 90% transition period 80% uk-eu relations 80% agriculture rules 70% food sector 70% sanitary and phytosanitary agreement 60% trade barriers 60% trade 50% pesticides 50% standards divergence 40%