The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports, ahead of the UK-EU summit later this month.
The 200-page draft text for this so called “SPS” [sanitary and phytosanitary] agreement has been circulated to EU nations in Brussels for consideration at a meeting on Wednesday.
Similar texts for deals on emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme have also been circulated alongside a 15-page draft joint statement for UK and EU top leaders.
The food deal is the most significant part of the so-called Brexit reset agreed so far, removing checks and red tape that hit exporters after the UK exited the EU’s single market.
As a result of the agreement, the government claims the UK economy will eventually see £5.1bn worth of annual benefits.
Speaking during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Antigua and Barbuda, the prime minister said a UK-EU deal could add up to 0.4% extra on GDP.
In return, the UK is expected to commit to observing and adapting to existing EU regulations on plant, animal and food trade standards – a process called “dynamic alignment”.
Each of the elements on the table was up for discussion under Sir Keir Starmer, and the summit would have taken place by now had Labour not replaced its leader in July.
Under Andy Burnham, Britain’s approach to post-Brexit relations with the EU have shifted significantly. Sir Keir said the UK would not rejoin the bloc in his lifetime, while Burnham has said he would like to see Britain back in the EU in his.