The UK and Switzerland have agreed a deal that will see British lamb exports with zero tariffs under Switzerland’s quota system.
Government said this would “open the door” to greater opportunities for exporters of lamb, selected beef and dairy products. Under the new agreement, UK beef steaks will be granted a 35% tariff reduction under the Swiss quota regime.
Government reported that, under the agreement, domestic producers would be protected, as the deal would offer no new access on pork, poultry and eggs for Switzerland.
The agreement will also include a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) chapter to make trade “smoother and more predictable”. It claimed this would strengthen UK-Swiss cooperation through faster information sharing, reducing red tape at the border and helping to resolve trade issues more quickly.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds commented: ”Switzerland is already a £195 million market for British food and drink, and this deal will open the door to even more.
“For the first time ever, UK lamb will enter Switzerland tariff-free. Beef, dairy and English sparkling wine will all benefit from lower tariffs too. This Government has delivered a deal that gives British farmers and producers a real competitive edge without compromising our high standards or interests of our farmers.”
“The deal will provide exciting opportunities for our beef, lamb, dairy and viticulture sectors.”
Tom Bradshaw, NFU
National Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw stated: ”This is a great example of a balanced deal. We appreciate the Government’s efforts to secure competitive access to the Swiss market for UK farmers – something the NFU has called for since the very start of these negotiations.
“The deal will provide exciting opportunities for our beef, lamb, dairy and viticulture sectors, and UK consumers can be reassured that Swiss imports have been produced to high standards.”
The FTA will also allow the UK Government to protect a further 28 UK Geographical Indications in Switzerland, helping the UK’s food and drink products thrive in the Swiss market. This is in addition to the 66 GIs currently protected under the existing UK-Switzerland Agriculture Agreement.
BMPA welcomes the deal
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said that it welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the new UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, calling it a “positive step” that will make trading with one of the UK’s important export markets simpler, quicker and more competitive.
The organisation stated that it had worked closely with Defra throughout the negotiations, providing technical expertise and industry insight to help ensure the agreement reflects the needs of meat processors and exporters.
John Powell, BMPA chief executive, commented: “This is a welcome agreement that should make it easier for UK meat businesses to trade with Switzerland. Anything that reduces unnecessary bureaucracy, speeds up the movement of goods and improves market access is good news for exporters. We’re pleased that Defra worked closely with industry throughout the negotiations and recognised the value of practical input from businesses. It’s encouraging to see that collaborative approach reflected in an agreement that delivers real benefits for our sector.”
IMTA highlights SPS rules within the agreement
A spokesperson for the International Meat Trade Association said the Free Trade Agreement was great news: “The UK has successfully negotiated an enhanced FTA. It will see the UK able to export lamb to Switzerland at a 0% rate within their WTO quota for sheepmeat. This gives the UK an advantage over other supplying countries. Good news for beef too, which will see a 35% reduction in the tariff within the WTO quota, so an advantage over many other potential suppliers. There are also wins for some beef offal.
“Very importantly to IMTA, SPS was not forgotten as the parties have agreed that perishable goods will be released within six hours of arrival at customs, key for anyone wishing to supply chilled meat. The SPS chapter includes a clause to do additional negotiations to further enhance UK-Switzerland SPS arrangements once the UK–EU negotiations on an SPS Agreement conclude. This means even more potential for easier trade in meat with Switzerland than currently.”
