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Starmer, Keir

EU Offers Truce in "Sausage War" in Exchange for Brexit Reset Deal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Union has made a significant concession to the United Kingdom, offering to end the ban on British exports of fresh sausages, mince, and other chilled meats in exchange for long-term access to UK fishing waters and reduced regulatory hurdles for British food exports. This truce is part of a broader Brexit reset deal set to be announced on Monday, which will also reduce red tape and border checks for British food products. The agreement will have the UK align with EU plant and animal health rules, allowing for the automatic adoption of European Court of Justice decisions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU has offered to end the ban on UK exports of fresh sausages, mince, and other chilled meats in exchange for long-term access to UK fishing waters.
  • The agreement will reduce red tape and border checks for British food products, including frozen sausages and other food products.
  • The UK will align with EU plant and animal health rules, allowing for the automatic adoption of European Court of Justice decisions on SPS rules.
  • The deal will make the "not for EU" labelling requirements on food products unnecessary in Northern Ireland.
  • The EU will end the ban on British exports of live bivalve molluscs, including mussels, clams, scallops, oysters, and cockles, if the deal is accepted.
  • The agreement may pave the way for the UK rejoining the EU's pet passport scheme, making it easier for British holidaymakers to take their dogs, cats, and ferrets on holiday.

Statistics:

  • Exports of British food to the EU have dropped by nearly £3 billion a year since Brexit due to physical and document checks required by the lack of a veterinary deal.
  • Food and agricultural product exports dropped by 16% on average in the first three years after the UK left the Single Market, compared to the three years before Brexit.
  • The deal could lead to a £3 billion increase in British food exports to the EU.
  • The EU's veterinary deal with the UK is expected to be worth around £1 billion annually for British farmers and food producers.

Sources:

  • "EU offers truce in 'sausage war' with Britain" by The Telegraph, unknown date
  • "UK-EU trade dispute hits £3bn" by The Daily Mail, unknown date
  • "Centre for European Reform" by Centre for European Reform, unknown date
  • "British Retail Consortium" by British Retail Consortium, unknown date
  • "Center of Inclusive Trade Policy" by Center of Inclusive Trade Policy, December 2022

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