Changes to Phytosanitary and Sanitary Checks Between the EU and the UK - What Did May 2025 Bring?

May 2025 brought a real "reset" to trade relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. A new agreement between the two sides brings significant changes to sanitary and phytosanitary checks on agri-food products. This marks a new stage in the history of post-Brexit economic ties.

What's changing?

🚚🍏 A major change to food and plant checks at the UK-EU border! 🍇🚛

1. Aligning UK rules with EU standards

In May 2025, London agreed to bring its sanitary and phytosanitary rules almost fully into line with EU standards. In practice, this means simpler procedures and a move closer to a shared SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) area model.

2. Removal of most export checks

EU exporters will get significant relief:

• No certificate requirement for most fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy.

• Wine and fish remain exceptions - they still require documentation.

3. New import checks put on hold

The British government has announced a freeze on planned checks for medium-risk products (e.g. fresh vegetables and fruit) until at least 2027. This means supply chains keep running smoothly.

4. A new inspection model - BTOM

BTOM (Border Target Operating Model) is a modern border system that introduces:

• Digitalisation of documents,

• Limiting physical checks to high-risk products only,

• Random checks for other product categories.

5. Categorising products by risk level

The lower the health risk, the fewer the formalities:

• Plant and animal products from the EU get a lower inspection priority,

• They benefit from a simplified clearance route, which shortens delivery times.

6. Benefits for business and consumers

Experts point to a range of positive effects for EU-UK trade:

• Shorter clearance times,

• Lower administrative costs,

• Potentially lower food prices,

• Greater resilience of the supply chain to disruption.

7. What stays the same?

• Documentation for high-risk products,

• The need to keep track of the rules for certain categories (e.g. fish, wine).

Summary: The EU-UK trade reset in 2025

This is a huge step forward for exporters and importers alike, as well as for consumers. The new EU-UK agreement brings greater stability, predictability and efficiency to cross-border trade, which could lower costs and improve the availability of food products on both sides of the Channel.

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Sources:
[1] Wiescirolnicze.pl, [2] Brexit.gov.pl, [3] Foodfakty.pl, [4] Londynek.net, [5] Gov.pl/PIORiN, [6] Gov.pl/WSSE, [7] Intermodalnews.pl, [8] Gov.uk, [9] Warzywa.pl, [10] Transport-manager.pl