UK Plans Permanent EU Food Trade Deal by 2027 Deadline

The UK Government aims to secure a permanent food and drink trade agreement with the European Union by 2027 to reduce supermarket prices, ease inflation, and support businesses, with Brexit Reset Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds outlining plans to finalize the deal within 18 months. The current temporary agreement, which stopped border checks on certain EU fruit and vegetables and live animal imports, is set to expire in January 2027. While the Government emphasizes regulatory alignment with the EU to boost growth and reduce trade barriers, critics including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argue such deals risk surrendering UK sovereignty and increasing bureaucracy, with Thomas-Symonds accusing Farage of wanting to undermine British businesses. The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, supports the deal, viewing it as beneficial despite accusations from Conservative politicians that it represents a betrayal of Brexit principles by dragging the UK back under Brussels’ influence. The UK has also confirmed the Irish Sea border for food and agricultural products will remain in place until 2027, postponing the dismantling of post-Brexit checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The ongoing debates highlight tensions over sovereignty, economic benefits, and the future of UK-EU trade relations in the post-Brexit era.