Nigel Farage is threatening UK businesses and consumers with the "sequel nobody wants", campaigners have warned, as the government set out its plans for a permanent deal with the EU on food and drink.
The Reform UK leader "wants Britain to fail", cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds warned as he confirmed ministers want to get a deal agreed with the trading bloc in the next 18 months.
Farage has criticised the current SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) provisions agreed in May, writing in the Telegraph that it would push the UK “back into the orbit of Brussels" and vowing: “A Reform government would undo all of this with legislation.”
The current temporary deal, which took effect in June, removed border checks on some fruit and vegetables imported from the EU, meaning no fees would be paid. It will expire in January 2027.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain which campaigns for closer EU-UK ties, said:
“Farage, the chief architect of Brexit, is threatening all UK businesses and consumers with the sequel nobody wants. By promising to tear up progress made in clearing up his mess, he is promising more uncertainty, more red tape and higher prices - just another reason he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Downing Street.
“The EU should move quickly to finalise an alignment deal with this government to deliver for consumers on both sides of the Channel, to prove Farage wrong yet again in his euroscepticism.”