The UK and EU have agreed on a draft deal removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports, the BBC reports. The 200-page sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement has been circulated to EU nations for discussion at a Wednesday meeting in Brussels.
The deal would eliminate export health certificates, phytosanitary certificates, inspector fees, organic certificates and some port fees for UK-EU trade. The UK government claims the economy will see £5.1bn in annual benefits. UK exports of fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish and seed potatoes to the EU would resume under the agreement. Pet passports for UK pets entering the EU would also become available.
The UK would commit to observing and adapting to existing EU regulations on plant, animal and food trade standards under "dynamic alignment." The UK has already diverged from some EU rules, such as on precision breeding of plants. Transition arrangements have been agreed while new EU regulations take effect.
The draft also covers emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme. A joint statement from UK and EU leaders is being prepared ahead of a summit later this month.
The British Chamber of Commerce released analysis on Monday saying the current post-Brexit trade relationship is "failing to deliver" and leaving firms "struggling with a thicket of Brexit red tape" nearly six years after the UK's exit. In a BCC survey, 56% of exporting businesses said they wanted EU customs paperwork and delays removed to grow.
Some pro-Brexit campaigners have criticised the reapplication of EU rules. Shevaun Havilland, director general of the BCC, said government needs to examine all options for future UK-EU relations and involve business in decision-making.