MPs have urged the government to ensure there is scope for the UK to opt out of matching EU regulations on animal welfare under a future sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
In a detailed report published today, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee says an SPS agreement with the EU could bring many benefits for UK consumers, farmers and producers if it lowers costs by removing the need for border checks and other red tape and makes supply chains more resilient.
However, it outlines various potential problems that should be avoided as the UK faces having to change certain regulations to align with the EU – and stresses that any future deal must not disadvantage UK agriculture and meat businesses.
Negotiations between the UK and EU Commission towards a common area for SPS regulations began in November 2025 and the government is optimistic of concluding them in 2027.
Key recommendations include:
Animal welfare standards
MPs recommend that ministers should seek a ‘Swiss-style exemption’ from the principle of dynamic alignment with the EU regarding animal welfare standards, meaning the UK would not be expected to change its regulations on animal welfare every time the EU does so.
The MPs also note that there is uncertainty on whether the SPS deal could include new regulations introducing new labelling requirements that indicate conditions in which livestock and poultry have been reared. Food Standards Scotland told the committee this would be a ‘technical barrier to trade’.
It stressed that the government must also ‘ensure UK farmers are not undercut by products from EU countries with lower animal welfare standards’, expressing concern that ‘undercutting’ could occur if the Government’s recently-published Animal Welfare Strategy places extra burdens on UK farmers.
The report urged the government should set out the practical measures it will take to protect producers.
Border controls and illegal meat imports
The report notes that any future SPS agreement will require adjustments to existing border controls, but said it remains essential that GB retains the ability to ‘apply robust, evidence-based measures to prevent the introduction of diseases from Europe’.
It stresses that Defra must not wait until SPS negotiations are concluded before developing a strategy to reduce demand for illegally imported animal products, as the department indicated in response to an EFRA report on the illegal meat crisis in September.
The committee reiterates a recommendation made in that report calling for the government should begin work with the others to develop a strategy to tackle the domestic demand for imported illegal meat by June 2026.
Precision breeding
The report also urges the government to seek an exemption from dynamic alignment with EU regulations for the growing and selling of precision-bred products in the England.
The Committee expressed concern that without an exemption, UK growers could lose the benefits of the UK having moved first in this area if it was required to align with relevant EU regulations.
While the focus of the Act is currently primarily on crops, this is relevant to the pig sector in light of PIC’s efforts to seek approval in the UK for its gene-edited PRRS-resistant pigs.
Timings and contingency plan
The government has said it hopes negotiations to establish a common SPS area will be completed by early-2027 and implemented in the first half of that year.
However, the committee urges it to build ‘realistic implementation periods of at least 24 months’ for any regulatory changes that arise from dynamic alignment with the EU once the SPS agreement comes into force.
It also calls for the government to set out its contingency plans for the SPS negotiations, recognising that an SPS agreement is not guaranteed.
Another key recommendation is for the government to set out how it intends to communicate ‘the realities of dynamic alignment’ for affected businesses, farmers, producers, industry stakeholders and the wider public.
NI Veterinary and Medicines Agreement
The MPs call on the government to ‘actively pursue’ a Veterinary Medicines Agreement with the EU in tandem with the SPS agreement to facilitate smoother trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
‘A lot on the menu’
EFRA Committee chair Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Making it easier to trade with our European neighbours should present a feast of benefits for British businesses, farmers and consumers. But there is a lot on the menu for the Government to consider, and our recommendations aim to help Ministers set the table.”
“For starters, we strongly urge the Government to aim for a Swiss-style carve out of dynamic alignment with the EU regarding animal welfare. We must avoid unnecessary burdens and undercutting of farmers from products produced abroad where animals are treated worse than in the UK. This would present a zero-sum game and a threat to our already wary industry.”
Government reaction
A Government spokesperson said: “A food and drink deal could deliver up to £5.1 billion a year for the UK economy. It will slash red tape, cut costs and delays at the border, and lift barriers on a wider range of UK exports to the EU – supporting farmers, producers and businesses across the UK.
“The UK and EU are clear that there will be some exceptions which we’re negotiating now. We won’t provide a running commentary on those talks.
“We’re also working closely with businesses to understand their requirements and support them to benefit as soon as the new arrangements are in place.”
Reaction
NPA public affairs manager Tom Haynes said: “This is another comprehensive, insightful and important report from the EFRA Committee. We support the sensible recommendations made – and urge the government to implement the findings as negotiations continue.
“The committee has again proven to be a supportive ally when it comes to border controls and illegal meat imports. We join the MPs in urging the government not to hide behind the SPS agreement when it comes to tackling this serious threat to our industry – or, for that matter, other important policy developments. We are already seeing too many examples of this.
“The committee’s stance on Precision Breeding is also welcome. The UK has moved ahead of the EU in its regulatory approach in this area – and we do not want to see this progress wasted.”
NPA chief policy adviser Katie Jarvis added: “We agree that a carefully negotiated agreement could bring benefits across the sector but share the committee’s desire to seek specific exemptions from alignment on animal welfare standards. That would give us freedom to set policy which better suits our industry, especially for outdoor pigs.”