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Campaigners have welcomed reports of a UK-EU food and drink deal as a great first step but stressed that restoring the UK’s full EU membership pledge is the only way to fully realise benefits for the country.
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New reports have indicated that the UK and EU have agreed a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) draft deal which would eliminate checks and red tape that have hit exporters since Brexit including £200 Export Health Certificates, £25 Phytosanitary certificates, inspector fees, organic certificates, some port fees and sampling fees. UK exports to the EU of fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish from domestic waters and seed potatoes will also be able to resume, the BBC reported.
This comes ahead of the second UK-EU summit scheduled for November 20 in Brussels.
Cal Roscow, Director of Campaigns at Best for Britain, said:
“Firms will be breathing a sigh of relief at this vital and welcome first step towards strengthening our relationship with the EU, one that will remove unnecessary red tape and costly, time-consuming checks that have plagued industry and hurt the UK’s businesses.
“But it’s essential we go further and signal our intention to renew our full membership of the EU – a policy that is not only widely supported by the majority of Brits but one that would see at least a £92bn rocket boost added to our economy.”