Five years after Brexit, the United Kingdom remains the EU’s most important dairy trading partner, with annual bilateral trade exceeding €5 billion. However, since 2021, dairy trade volumes have stabilised but remain roughly 20% below pre-Brexit levels.
At the recent EU–UK Summit held in London on Monday, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a Renewed Agenda for Cooperation, expressing shared principles around free, fair, and sustainable trade, and the need to strengthen supply chain resilience. The joint statement specifically highlighted cooperation with key trading partners in preventing trade diversion and safeguarding critical flows.
The common understanding on a renewed agenda includes the objective to work towards establishing a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area which would provide for dynamic alignment of food legislation.
Eucolait strongly encourages the EU and UK to seize this opportunity to initiate formal discussions on SPS alignment, recognising the clear mutual benefits such an agreement would bring. The ultimate objective would be to abolish the need for border checks and veterinary certificates. Reaching an agreement will not be simple, requiring substantial technical engagement and willingness to address sensitive issues and previous red lines. More details in our full statement.