Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken a cost–benefit analysis of potential changes to sanitary and phytosanitary procedures applying to UK–EU exports.

An SPS agreement could increase the volume of UK exports of major agricultural commodities to the EU by 16% [Methodology Note: How Defra has estimated the impact of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement on the UK agricultural sector - GOV.UK ].

Defra commissioned research highlights significant non-tariff measure costs for exporting GB agri-food and plant products to the EU [Quantifying Non-Tariff Measures on GB to EU Agri-Food, Plant Products and Fisheries Trade - WR0717 ]:

• Export Health Certificates cost up to £200 for agri-food goods.
• Phytosanitary Certificates cost approximately £25 alongside inspection fees of at least £127.60.
• Organic Certificates of Inspection, required for the export of organic lamb and cheese, cost on average £35.
• Identity check fees on meat and dairy exports adds £31 per load on average.
• For beef and salmon, queueing times for checks can add costs of up to £149 per load.
• Additional driver charges, paid to hauliers for border-related friction, typically £200 per shipment.
• Sampling can add approximately £1,200 to a cheese load, £1,400 to a salmon shipment, £440 to a load of apples, and £1,200 to a beef load.

The SPS agreement will significantly reduce these costs. Details are subject to negotiation. The government will follow normal processes for any necessary legislative changes and assess impacts accordingly.