EU–UK SPS NEGOTIATIONS FACE PRESSURE AS BORDER BOTTLENECKS PERSIST
The logistics sector is urging swift progress in negotiations between the European Commission and the United Kingdom on a new agreement governing inspections of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods. Despite earlier commitments to strengthen cooperation, current inspection regimes continue to create significant operational bottlenecks.
Transport operators report persistent delays caused by poor coordination between authorities and IT systems, leading to longer waiting times, higher costs, and, in some cases, damage to sensitive goods such as plants. For freight forwarders, these inefficiencies highlight the broader challenge of fragmented border processes in EU–UK trade.
While both sides have indicated their intention to conclude negotiations around a future EU–UK summit, the timeline remains uncertain. Recent signals suggest that implementation of any new agreement may not take place before mid-2027, prolonging the current burdens on operators.
CLECAT stresses the need for a pragmatic and timely solution, including the removal of unnecessary certification requirements and routine controls where risks are limited.