Supermarkets demand EU agree deal with UK on plant and animal exports (2025)

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Some of Britain's biggest supermarkets have joined with food producers to put fresh pressure on the EU to agree a deal with the UK on plant and animal exports.

and Sainsbury's are among 12 firms to have written to European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in support of a 'veterinary agreement'.

In a letter, seen by the Financial Times, the companies said it was an 'opportune moment' to 'solidify' UK-EU trade amid US President Donald Trump's global tariffs chaos.

They also warned that 'unnecessary red tape' since Brexit had meant moving food and drink had become 'significantly more expensive'.

'At a time when trading relationships around the world are being challenged, now feels like an opportune moment to solidify our economic partnership,' the letter read.

As well as Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Lidl, Ocado and meat processors Cranswick and 2 Sisters were also reported to be among the signatories.

They said a deal to remove border frictions would boost economic growth and increase invesment in the UK and EU.

'It is ultimately the customers and communities we both aim to serve that suffer, as well as the farmers, growers, and workers in our supply chains across the UK and EU,' the letter added.

The letter has been sent ahead of a UK-EU summit in London on 19 May, when Sir Keir Starmer is hoping for progress in his bid for a post-Brexit 'reset' in Britain's relations with Brussels.

The PM, as part of Labour's manifesto, pledged to negotiate a veterinary agreement with the EU to 'prevent unneccessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food'.

Such an agreement wouldreduce trade barriers on agricultural and agri-food goods by either harmonising rules or recognising them as equivalent.

Sir Keir is also seeking a new UK-EU security pact, mutual recognition for professional qualifications, and help for British artists to play across Europe.

But he has been hit by EU demands for the UK to back down on post-Brexit fishing rights, as well as to agree a youth mobility scheme, in exchange.

The PM this week faced claimsof a Brexitbetrayal after it emerged the UK could align with Brussels rules and accept the rulings of EU judges as part of a veterinary - or sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) - agreement.

It followed reports that British officials have signalled to their EU counterparts an openness to accept the dynamic alignment of rules on fresh meat and dairy.

It was also claimed the UK could allowthe oversight of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) as part of a deal to cut checks on imports of foods and agricultural products.

Dynamic alignment is where Britain would agree to follow existing EU rules and copy and paste new ones in order to enable closer trade and reduce border checks.

Tory peer Lord David Frost, the UK's former chief Brexit negotiator, said: 'It's been obvious for some months Labour are going to do this terrible deal and bring EU law and EU courts back into Britain.

'All that struggle for control and independence - Labour are going to reverse it for nothing in return.'

The Government said it would not 'provide a running commentary' on negotiations with the EU, but said Sir Keir's 'reset' would not see a return to freedom of movement, the customs union or the single market.

Responding to the letter to Mr Sefcovic from supermarkets and food producers, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said:'We welcome that major UK businesses support our manifesto commitment to negotiate an ambitious SPS agreement to put food on people's tables more cheaply as part of our strategic alliance with the EU.'

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