The EU threatens to limit the time of any agreement to eliminate administrative formalities on exports of food and drinks in the United Kingdom through the channel, unless it has long-term access to British fishing waters.
The prospect of an expiration date on a so -called veterinary agreement with the United Kingdom – a key request from the Labor government from Sir Keir Starmer – is designed to have a maximum lever effect in London in fishing rights.
The restriction of the duration of any veterinary agreement with the United Kingdom would create uncertainty for exporters, reducing the potential value of the agreement and adding pressure on the United Kingdom of Business to conclude an open agreement on fish.
The sensitive question is one of the last remaining obstacles while the two parties get closer to an agreement to “reset” relations five years after Brexit at a summit on May 19.
The centerpiece of the agreement is a defense and security pact, although the United Kingdom also wishes to stimulate the economy by reducing the commercial barriers erected when it has left the block.
The controls required on agricultural products such as cheese and beef are one of the largest obstacles that the Government of Starmer seeks to withdraw.
Currently, Brussels insists on a variety of physical forms and inspections of sensitive products because British standards could differ from those of the EU.
This particularly disrupts trade with Northern Ireland. To avoid a hard border on the island, checks were imposed on trade between it and the British continent.
The British government is under pressure for British companies to get an agreement, the main British supermarkets, including Marks and Spencer and J Sainsbury, writing an open letter last month urging the two parties to reach an agreement.
Any agreement would probably force the United Kingdom to respect EU standards and accept the application of the European Court of Justice.
THE The United Kingdom is the largest market For EU agrifooted exports in 2024, representing 23%, or 54 billion euros. They increased by 2.2 billion euros that year.
The block imported 15.4 billion euros in the United Kingdom, around half of the exports of food and drinks in the United Kingdom.
While London maintains that a veterinarian agreement would therefore benefit the EU, the Member States to counter that the United Kingdom needs it more due to its dependence on the EU market. “They are the” applicant “here,” said a diplomat involved in negotiations.
Brexit agreement cutting EU fishing rights in the United Kingdom Waters of 25% over five years, but in June 2026, he will lose all access unless a new arrangement is agreed. The diplomats said they expected a fish contract to last at least five years.
A British official informed of negotiations said: “It is something that has been proposed, but I think it is sure to suppose that it will not be the final state. Businesses need certainty and have to renegotiate things every few years do not help.”
The British government has said that it “does not provide a current commentary on our discussions with the EU”, but added: “We are clearly that we will always act in the national interest to obtain the best results for the United Kingdom.”
The European Commission refused to comment.
