The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has responded to an EFRA Committee report, rejecting the recommendation to seek a transition period for farmers, growers and businesses affected by the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
Government rejected a recommendation from MPs to pursue a veterinary medicines agreement in tandem with SPS negotiations, stating that concerns about availability of medicines should be addressed by the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme and the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme. It said that Ministers were “open to” working with the EU and other international trading partners on the regulation of veterinary medicines.
The Committee’s recommendation that a 24-month transition period should be agreed was rejected by Government, which maintained that the SPS agreement will take effect from mid-2027. Responding, Government stated: “We know that some businesses require longer to adjust to the new arrangements and will continue to work with them to ensure a smooth transition.”
However, on the topic of illegal meat imports, Defra said it had “established a new Illegal Imports Improvement project”, with its first output set to be an “action plan” with input from the Food Standards Agency, Home Office, Border Force and others, with the intention to “consider demand and prioritise resource” where evidence suggests the greatest impact will be delivered.
Government also went on to say it would “continue to champion the importance of high standards of animal welfare” and “keep working collaboratively with its international partners as part of this to promote robust standards nationally and internationally”. This was in agreement with the Committee’s recommendation that Ministers should seek a carve-out from dynamic alignment on regulations regarding animal welfare and avoid UK industry being “undercut” by products from countries with lower standards. EFRA Committee noted that this will be subject to negotiation with the EU.
Ministers reject SPS transition period but call for illegal meat action plan
EFRA Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Our report was primarily concerned with ensuring that the Government puts its best foot forward in negotiating a new SPS deal with the EU, one that supports our farmers and growers, and we welcome the Government’s positive response to many of our recommendations.
“It is disappointing, however, that Ministers have disagreed with our call to give businesses a transition period to adjust to what could be very disruptive changes coming down the track. With headwinds already howling in their direction, the sector needs all the help it can get.
“It is reassuring, at least, that Defra appears to have belatedly awoken other departments - most importantly the Home Office - to the need for an action plan to reduce illegal meat imports. Ministers must know by now that this is a rapidly growing problem with potentially devastating consequences. Swift action is required.”
“Despite the Government’s previous enthusiasm to negotiate an additional agreement to improve veterinary medicines access in Northern Ireland, the wording of their response on this point… is likely to raise some eyebrows.”
Alistair Carmichael MP, EFRA
Carmichael continued: “Despite the Government’s previous enthusiasm to negotiate an additional agreement to improve veterinary medicines access in Northern Ireland, the wording of their response on this point - that Ministers are now merely ‘open to’ a deal - is likely to raise some eyebrows. If the Government is now lowering its ambitions in this area that will be a great disappointment to many. They would be well-advised to provide clarity on this point.”
The full EFRA report can be accessed here.
