The UK government recently announced plans to agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU, to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier. This includes a commitment for the UK to keep our rules in line with the EU as part of a common SPS area. This planned agreement will facilitate the reduction of barriers to trade, including routine import checks on SPS goods moving between the UK and the EU (and vice versa). 

During the implementation of the new BTOM import controls in 2024, an easement was placed on medium-risk fruit and vegetables imported into GB from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CH&LI) to give businesses more time to prepare for incoming controls on medium-risk plants and plant products. This easement meant these goods were temporarily exempt from plant health controls. 

The current easement on medium risk fruits and vegetables from the EU, CH and LI was due to end on 1st July 2025. However, under the planned SPS Agreement with the EU, these checks would not take place. Therefore, it has been agreed that the current easement should be temporarily extended to the end of the Transitional Staging Period (TSP) 31st January 2027.