19th May 2026
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds travelled to Northern Ireland last week to outline the benefits of the new UK-EU food and drink deal to key stakeholders in the country’s agri-food sector.
The environment secretary recently appeared at the Balmoral Show and Belfast Harbour, where she laid out her argument for how a UK-EU food deal would cut red tape, lower costs and keep trade flowing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
She said: “Northern Ireland’s food and drink businesses deserve a better deal. That means protecting the UK internal market, supporting businesses and giving families more choice, availability and value across Northern Ireland.”
The border minister, Baroness Hayman, joined the environment secretary as they held talks with farmers, growers and businesses, aimed at maintaining supply chains and increasing the prevalence of good-quality produce.
Northern Ireland is already assisted by full EU market access due to its position under the Windsor Framework. However, for the first time since the EU exit, most food and drink travelling from GB to NI will not need checks, including regulatory certificates that can be between £80 and £200 each.
DEFRA said charges for export health certificates have cost businesses between £13m and £32m over the last three years.
READ MORE: SPS agreement: Industry expert highlights key benefits and concerns
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“The potential to add over £5 billion to UK GDP”
By removing “paperwork tax”, an SPS agreement would make trade easier for businesses, help British produce reach European markets and cut the cost of food and drink, according to DEFRA.
The new SPS agreement is a way of restoring the UK’s relationship with Europe that will boost economies and increase trade, with the potential of adding £5.1 billion a year to UK GDP.
The environment secretary and border minister Baroness Hayman hosted open dialogue with members of the Confederation of British Industry to ensure Northern Ireland businesses are characterised by a deal that will reduce bureaucracy, expand choice and availability on supermarket shelves, and soften the impact of food price inflation for families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
READ MORE: SPS Agreement explained: What does it mean for British farmers?
The visit came as the European Partnership Bill was unveiled at the State Opening of Parliament last week, launching the legislative framework to implement the agreement, which will allow businesses to feel its benefits from mid-2027.
Alongside the elimination of many of the food and drink checks, the new agreement will also decrease costs, paperwork and checks on flowers, plants and seeds transported between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Additionally, the final restrictions on the movement of certain tree species will disappear.
DEFRA said these amendments would support Northern Ireland’s farmers, gardeners, garden centres, environmental projects and rural businesses, making sure they profit from simpler trade with Great Britain.
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