Seeds of hope and concern for Starmer as trade relationship with EU rises up agenda

Improving the UK’s trading relationship is set to be a key priority for Sir Keir Starmer’s government in the coming months, and there are both reasons for optimism, for those wanting closer alignment with the bloc, and seeds of concern, for those worried about the post-Brexit rules that are already in effect.

Starmer has pledged that he will improve ties with Europe, but that he will do so without re-entering the single market or customs union. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is subject to a reviewal process in 2026.

It is expected that the UK will look to negotiate a series of smaller agreements that improve upon some of the trading conditions currently in play as a result of the deal, potentially including a veterinary agreement to remove certain post-Brexit sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls and checks.

Seeds of concern

Businesses in the UK currently affected by SPS controls have voiced concern about the impact of the new rules that were introduced for imports this year.

Under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), import controls – including SPS checks – have been introduced in phases since the UK’s departure from the EU. The most recent of these was the introduction of SPS checks on a number of plant and animal products taking place at border control posts (BCPs).

The controls and associated costs have caused disruption for various sectors, affecting various goods from meats to flowers. This week, the British Tomato Growers Association (BTGA) and Cucumber Pepper Growers’ Association (CPGA) have told the Guardian that delays to seed imports resulting from new BTOM rules were threatening vegetable yields and reducing profits.

Dr Phil Morley, the BTGA technical officer, said:

“Some growers report a six-week delay in seeds arriving at British propagators from when they are being ordered. This has a knock-on effect for propagators who have programmed their propagation for other crops as well, so they have to rejig their programmes.”

The government says that the border checks are important for “protecting UK biosecurity” and that it is continuing to “work with industry on the importation of seeds, taking a pragmatic approach to supporting businesses and food security, while looking to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU”.

Tinkering not enough

While it is hoped that the new government might negotiate with the EU to reduce some of this friction, the cross-party pressure group European Movement UK has warned that just “tinkering” with the TCA won’t be enough.

Richard Kilpatrick, campaign manager of the group, told the Independent:

“Tinkering around the edges of a broken Brexit deal won’t deliver the long-term certainty that our economy needs.

“We urge the prime minister to agree to our call for an independent, forward-looking inquiry into the ongoing costs of Brexit on our economy, and what the future for the UK would be with membership of the single market and customs union on the table.”

Kilpatrick was responding to a report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) which concluded that “Brexit uncertainty” was hitting UK economic growth.

Signs of alignment

The new UK government has, however, already announced new legislation that could lead to closer alignment with EU standards, according to Politico.

The Product Safety and Metrology Bill would enable the UK government to recognise the EU’s product safety rules that have been updated since Brexit.

“This bill marks a step-change in EU policy,” Joël Reland from the UK in a Changing Europe think tank told Politico.

“For the first time since Brexit, a UK government is explicitly saying that it would actively like to maintain alignment with new EU regulations, to make life easier for businesses.”

A spokesperson for Reform UK decried the bill, saying “the dishonesty and betrayal of Labour over this legislation is sadly what we must come to expect”.