The British Meat Processors Association has welcomed Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner’s visit to Dunbia’s Cardington plant and praised the Government’s commitment to a new UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. Nick Thomas-Symonds laid out the plan in a speech this week in which he said: “this government thinks that in some cases, like SPS, it is in our national interest to align with the EU. We have made that choice because it is pragmatic”.

We’ve seen just how damaging to trade and competitiveness the current post-Brexit non-tariff measures are in a new report out this week from The Andersons Centre. So BMPA and its members are heartened to hear from Government Ministers that the forthcoming deal promises to cut costs, strip away red tape and speed up exports to the UK’s biggest market – vital for meat processors and the thousands of jobs they support. Removing routine checks and mountains of paperwork will allow UK businesses to trade more smoothly and competitively in Europe.

BMPA Chief Executive Nick Allen said: “Our members already meet every single EU food safety and animal health standard required for export. The only difference since Brexit is that we’re forced to prove it through costly checks and endless paperwork. This SPS agreement won’t change how we operate – but it will finally remove the unnecessary bureaucracy and expense that weigh us down.”

We’re strongly supportive of Government’s efforts, but BMPA is also urging negotiators to resist complicating the deal with carve-outs or special exceptions that risk delaying progress.

Nick Allen added: “The simpler the agreement, the quicker it can be signed, and the sooner British exporters can get back to competing on a level playing field. Every month of delay costs our industry money. We urge Government and the EU to keep it simple and move quickly.”

The BMPA stands ready to work hand-in-hand with Government, providing insight and expertise from across the sector to help shape negotiations and deliver an agreement that supports meat processors, exporters and the wider food economy.