UK Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has launched two calls for evidence, in response to announcements made on 19 May, when leaders from the UK and EU met in London for the first formal bilateral meeting since the UK’s departure from the EU.
In the meeting on 19 May, both parties agreed to work towards a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, intended to reduce barriers to the trade of food and agricultural products between the UK and the EU. The EFRA Committee is inviting written evidence submissions, until 5 September, on the proposed SPS Agreement, including how it should be negotiated, implemented, and integrated into the UK’s wider food, farming, and environmental goals.
MPs will also examine how an SPS agreement might affect the UK’s internal market, considering regulatory divergence across the devolved nations.
Chair of the EFRA Committee Alistair Carmichael MP said the UK-EU negotiations towards an SPS agreement present an important opportunity for the government to resolve difficulties which are currently hampering trade with the EU, while also protecting British food producers and maintaining British standards and decisions in food production.
“The government must ensure that it negotiates on the basis of the fullest understanding and knowledge of the situation and needs of our farmers, horticulturalists, food manufacturers and traders,” he said.
The 19 May meeting also saw the UK government announce the creation of a GBP 360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, alongside a UK-EU agreement to extend current “fully reciprocal” fisheries access arrangements until 30 June 2038. EFRA is inviting submissions on how the fund should be designed and delivered to best meet the needs of the sector and communities and how the UK can provide comprehensive and coherent support for its domestic fishing sector and fishing communities beyond this fund.
On the fund, Carmichael commented: This has great potential to address serious issues afflicting the sector and the communities dependent on it, and to generate significant growth within the industry. At present, there is a great deal of concern within fishing communities about the security of their futures. Our committee is keen to see this fund used to the very best effect and to this end we are inviting written evidence from stakeholders including industry representatives, fishers, community leaders, devolved administrations, academics, and members of the public.”
Submissions can be made on the Committee’s website, until 23:59 on Friday 5 September 2025.
