UK-EU reset – implications for animal welfare - Policy Brief

The Brexit ‘Trade and Co-operation Agreement’ of 2020 increased trade friction, red tape and costs for trade in animals and animal products between UK and EU. The ‘reset’ announced in May 2025 included immediate agreements on energy and fishing, and identified further areas to negotiate, including an Animal and Plant Health or ‘Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Agreement’ (SPS). Issues for the ongoing negotiations include the extent of the ‘short list’ of exceptions in UK alignment with EU rules (and ‘dynamic alignment’ with future rules) and the fee the UK must pay. Animal welfare could be impacted by a SPS and by alignment with/ exceptions to EU rules.