The Government has signalled that negotiations on a proposed UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement are moving into a more practical phase, with implementation now being targeted for mid-2027.
Recent updates from Defra and Parliament suggest poultry businesses should begin preparing for the changes, which could significantly reduce post-Brexit trade barriers. Defra has urged all agri-food businesses to get ready, including those not currently trading with the EU.
The poultry sector stands to benefit from the removal of Export Health Certificates, which can cost up to £200 per consignment, as well as the elimination of routine border checks. Ministers say these changes could reduce costs, cut delays and improve the movement of poultry meat, hatching eggs and live birds between the UK, EU and Northern Ireland.
Ministers have indicated they will seek exemptions from automatic alignment on animal welfare standards, potentially preserving UK flexibility over future poultry welfare reforms.
With ministers rejecting calls for a longer transition period, poultry businesses now face a relatively short window to assess potential compliance and trading impacts before the planned 2027 implementation.