The UK's alignment with European food and drink regulations is critical for relationship reset but economic benefits of joining EU must be assessed, campaigners urge.
As part of the government's reset negotiations with the EU, they have released guidance for businesses on the proposed UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal which could see Brexit red tape on food exports removed, beginning mid 2027.
This comes as research comissioned by Best for Britain has found 62% of voters support the UK agreeing to the same food and drink rules being applied in the UK as in the EU.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, said:
“In the run up to the next UK-EU summit, there’s mixed news about the status of negotiations with some claiming they’ve hit a roadblock, others that the agri-food deal is all but inked. What’s clear however, is that the UK government mustn’t gamble on a pick and mix approach.
"Our country cannot afford to continue missing out on the vital economic opportunities and growth that only full EU membership can provide, and our negotiators must assess the real world benefits of joining the world’s largest trading bloc, sooner rather than later.”