UK and EU reach draft agreement on food trade - report

Updated / Tuesday, 3 Nov 2026 09:10

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Britain and the European Union are reported to have reached a draft agreement on the trade in food and agriculture.

If finalised, it would replace the current post-Brexit arrangements that see British food and agriculture exports to the EU subject to costly veterinary and customs checks.

The move would have particular significance for Northern Ireland, reducing the impact of the so-called Irish sea border that has existed since Britain left the European Union.

It would also significantly impact the food and agriculture trade for the whole of Ireland, which has changed substantially as a result of Brexit.

Ireland is the number one market for British food and drink exports.

The BBC reported that the UK and the European Commission have reached a draft agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements that would see the EU drop most of its controls on British food and drink exports in return for the British agreeing to follow EU laws and regulations on food and agriculture production.

This so called "dynamic alignment" was firmly rejected by the Conservative Party under former prime minister Boris Johnson when negotiating the original Brexit agreement with the EU.

The draft agreement has reportedly been circulated to member state government representatives in Brussels ahead of a meting of Permanent Representatives tomorrow.

The EU and the UK are due to hold a summit meeting on 20 November, at which a series of deals to change the original Brexit agreement are expected to be signed

Burnham: I have not proposed return to EU freedom of movement

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he has not proposed the return of freedom of movement between the UK and EU.

But the Prime Minister said an "honest discussion" was needed about how temporary migration from Europe had been replaced by long-term settlement in larger numbers since Brexit.

In an interview with ITV, he said: "I do believe that we should have an honest discussion with people about how immigration has changed since the Brexit vote because the shorter term migration of people coming from Europe and then going back has been replaced with long term settlement in bigger numbers, and that was the Boriswave."

Additional reporting PA