UK-EU veterinary deal would increase agri-food exports by over 20%, study reveals
British agri-food exports to Europe could benefit from an uplift of more than a fifth if the UK was to agree a deal with the EU to harmonise veterinary standards, a new study has found.
Researchers at Aston University and the University of Bristol analysed 279 previous trade agreements and export data from more than 200 countries to produce a joint paper which suggested that a UK-EU veterinary agreement would boost agri-food exports by more than 22%.
The paper, "Enhancing the Brexit Deal: Exploring the Impact of a UK–EU Veterinary Agreement on Agri-food Trade", also estimated that agri-food imports from the EU to the UK would rise by more than 5% if an agreement was struck.
It comes as the UK's agricultural trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), makes improving trade with the EU one of its three key asks of the next UK Government with a General Election expected this year.
AIC represents businesses UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Many of its Members trade agricultural goods with the EU.
Tackling trade barriers
In March AIC launched its 2024 General Election Manifesto, outlining what food supply chain businesses need from the next UK Government.
It strongly advocates negotiating a functioning veterinary or "Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS)" agreement with the EU, which would allow goods to be traded more easily with the EU and with Northern Ireland while respecting the UK’s independence in trade and legislation.
Ed Barker, AIC's Head of Policy & External Affairs, said: "We need the next Government to address the barriers that have arisen because of the UK-EU trade agreement has made goods harder to import and export.
"UK regulatory bodies are struggling with the implementation of this, and burdens are leading to costly delays and extra paperwork to trade in goods. This is also impacting the UK internal market, opening up inconsistencies in legislation across the four nations."
Earlier this year the Labour Party's shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed MP pledged to "tear down export barriers by seeking a veterinary agreement with the EU."
Visit AIC's Election 2024 webpage to find out more about its Manifesto and three key asks of the next UK Government, which also includes establishing an independent UK Food Security Committee and standardising sustainability metrics to help deliver a net zero transition in our food supply chain.
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Oli Hill
As Communications Manager, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.
