On May 19, 2025, the UK government announced a landmark agreement with the European Union, aimed at bolstering the British economy and enhancing post-Brexit relations. This new deal, hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as beneficial for jobs, bills, and borders, promises to support British businesses, reduce red tape, and increase access to the EU market.
The agreement includes a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) arrangement, which will simplify the import and export of food and drink, potentially lowering food prices and increasing supermarket choices. Additionally, the deal aims to link the UK and EU Emissions Trading Systems, improving energy security and saving UK businesses from hefty EU carbon taxes.
On June 3, during their UK-EU Reset Briefing in partnership with the British Embassy Dublin, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce has warmly welcomed this breakthrough, emphasizing its significance for post-Brexit relations between the UK and the EU. The Chamber highlighted the agreement's potential to alleviate trade friction, particularly in the agri-food sector, which is crucial for Ireland. The SPS arrangement is expected to ease the movement of agri-food products between the UK and the EU, benefiting both British and Irish businesses. Furthermore, the alignment of Emissions Trading Schemes is seen as a positive step towards accelerating the low-carbon transition and improving efficiency.
Paul Lynam, Director General of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, praised the political will behind the agreement and called for action to implement the outlined measures.
The devil will always be in the details but today is a major step forward. Credit to both the UK Government and the EU for taking these pragmatic steps, there is a premium now on implementation to ensure that the agreement becomes reality sooner rather than later.
The Chamber has been advocating for a comprehensive SPS agreement since the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was published, and this new deal represents a major achievement in that regard.
Overall, this new UK-EU agreement is seen as a pivotal moment in strengthening economic ties and fostering cooperation between the UK and the EU, with substantial benefits anticipated for businesses and consumers on both sides
The recent Reset Briefing marked a very progressive engagement between the UK and EU, aimed at improving the trading environment between both parties. This development will be of significant interest to various sectors in both Ireland and the UK, particularly for agri-food producers affected by the previously imposed SPS measures. This initiative represents a promising start towards improved post-Brexit trading relations. The remaining negotiations will be crucial for our trading clients in both Ireland and the UK moving forward.
