On 10 September, stakeholders from across the agri-food chain gathered in Copa Cogeca meeting room A to reflect on how to make trade better between the EU and UK. CELCAA was delighted to jointly host the event with BAB (British Agricultural Bureau) to mark ‘Back British Farming Day’.
Panelists kindly shared their pratical, lived experiences of trading between the EU and UK, with anecdotes of health certs being rejected for poor penmanship and perishable goods blocked at borders.
It is abundently clear that a comprehensive SPS agreement, providing a ‘dynamic alignment’ of rules, is the most sensible way forward for the EU and GB (as Northern Ireland remains within the EU SPS zone, as per the Windsor Framework). Similar negotiations have taken place between the EU and Switzerland, a valuable example of what is possible in this sphere.
In a world which is constantly in flux, presenting new and daunting trade challenges every day, never before has a reliable friend and neighbour been more important or attractive; CELCAA and BAB warmly support a move towards an SPS agreement and look forward to brighter days ahead!
