Brexit

CFA’s DG Karin Goodburn established and chairs the SPS Certification Working Group, which comprises food and feed trade associations, hauliers, farmers, port health, and veterinary and environmental health professional organisations, working together to minimise post-Brexit trade friction in Export Health Certificate (EHC)/SPS products between GB and the EU/NI by identifying issues and proposing solutions to Government and its Agencies.

The total value to the UK economy of the members of the Working Group is well in excess of £100bn per annum.

Download our 17 March 2025 response to Defra’s Committee on BTOM – Critical issues impacting GB food and biosecurity

Download our 25 July 2024 letter to Secretary of State Steve Reed – outstanding BTOM issues impacting GB food and biosecurity

Download our 25 Jan 2024 letter to Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay – Outstanding BTOM issues impacting GB biosecurity and food security

Download the WG’s June 2021 Report: Minimising Friction in SPS Trade

Download the Working Group’s June 2021 Report: Minimising Friction in SPS Trade

Download the WG’s March 2023 submission to the Trade and Business Commission

SPS Certification WG Press Releases:

23 February 2022 Brexit Red Tape Costs Food Businesses £60 million in 12 Months – Veterinary Agreement with EU Required Urgently

10 June 2021 Urgent Call For New Veterinary Agreement As Restrictions Cause Sharp Drop In British Exports To The EU And Threatens The Viability Of UK Business

See also:

• Brexit Paperwork Headache for Short Shelf Life Composite Products
• UK food exporters demand ‘urgent’ action over post-Brexit vet shortages

• Brexit red tape costs food businesses £60m

• Checklist for Choosing a Certifying Officer (OV) for Export Documentation
• Presentation to Biosecurity Borders & Trade Programme Business Readiness Forum (17/8/21)

 

Members of the SPS Certification Working Group include:

Agricultural Industries Confederation     Agri-supply Industry Trade association
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board    Represents Farmers & Growers
Association of Independent Meat Suppliers   Represents Abattoirs & Processors
British Frozen Food Federation   Covering the Entire Cold Chain
British Meat Processors Association   British Meat Processing
British Poultry Council    Covering The Production Chain
British Veterinary Association    National Body for Veterinary Surgeons
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health     Voice for Environmental Health
Chilled Food Association     Chilled Prepared Foods
Cold Chain Federation    Temperature Controlled Supply Chain
Council for Responsible Nutrition UK     Food Supplements & Functional Foods Sectors
Dairy UK     Dairy Supply Chain
Food Additives and Ingredients Association    Food Additives & Ingredients
Fresh Produce Consortium   Fresh Fruit, Vegetable, Cut Flower & Plants
Foodchain and Biomass Renewables Association   Processors of Animal By-products
International Meat Trade Association  Meat Importers & Exporters
National Craft Butchers   Independent Butchers
National Farmers Union of England and Wales  Farming & Growing Businesses
Nut and Dried Fruit Trade Association  Nut & Dried Fruit
Packaging Federation    Packaging Manufacturing Industry
Proprietary Association of Great Britain   Food Supplements
Provision Trade Federation  Staple Protein Provisions
Rice Association   UK Rice Sector
Road Haulage Association   Commercial HGV & Van Operators
Salmon Scotland   Scottish Salmon
Specialist Cheesemakers Association   Artisan & Specialty Cheese Producers
The Shellfish Association of Great Britain  UK Shellfish Industry
UK Flour Millers   Flour Mills
UK Pet Food  Pet Food Sector

 

 

 

Updated 10/09/26