Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed a wide-ranging agreement on food, fishing, defence and passport checks that represent the first significant rolling back of the Brexit deal.
The UK and the EU have agreed to co-operate further on easing mobility, in particular a youth experience scheme, but this will be subject to further negotiations
British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates at more European airports, although it is not yet clear when this will come into force.
Sir Keir said Britain is back on the world stage and called it a “landmark” deal between the EU and UK.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a “historic moment”, though opponents accused the Labour government of ‘selling out’ the UK fishing community by enabling EU boats to continue having access to UK waters until 2038.
However, in return there is an indefinite agreement on easier checks for food, animal and other agricultural products, known as sanitary and phytosanitary goods (SPS).
Supermarket group Morrisons said the deal would ease price pressures of goods on the shelves.
Salmon Scotland was pleased that the UK will get reduced checks on food exports to the EU, saying it would reduce costly delays and red tape that have cost salmon export companies an estimated £3 million a year since Brexit.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of the trade body, said: “This breakthrough eases the burden on our farmers, processors and the communities they support, and we welcome efforts to implement it at pace.
“The withdrawal of physical checks is particularly welcome. It means lower costs and quicker deliveries for our customers.”
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “A permanent deal to remove unnecessary checks on food and drink exports in both directions is a huge boost; it will cut costs, reduce waste and increase sales.”
Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the CBI, said: “After the turbulence of the last decade, today’s Summit marks a leap forward in the EU-UK relationship. The government has been relentless in its commitment to free and fair trade on the international stage, providing businesses with a shot of confidence through recent deals with the US and India.
“Businesses do not need more politics, they need progress. Today’s deal means firms on both sides of the border will be breathing a sigh of relief following practical commitments to improve regulatory cooperation, bolster defence, and deliver on our mutual net zero ambitions.
“For businesses in Northern Ireland, today’s announcement of an SPS Agreement is a significant win which should facilitate smoother trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
Tania Bowers, global public policy director at the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) said the deal will aid skills growth and longer-term employment in core sectors.
“The UK has needed a stronger trade deal with the EU since it left the Bloc.
“While the core focus on the EU Reset Deal appears to be linked to products such as food and drink, it is encouraging that services are also part of these latest negotiations, such as mutual recognition of professional qualifications and easier entry for UK travellers and we hope that this is a sign of things to come.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The new agreement with the EU to remove trade barriers is positive news for hospitality businesses and will help to further increase access to high-quality, affordable food and drink for business and consumers alike.
“We’re pleased that there is a clear commitment to co-operate further on a youth experience scheme.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the PM of “selling-out” the fishing sector. Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “This deal is a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement.
“It is clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen and coastal communities, granting EU vessels 12 years of continuous access to UK waters at the last minute in order secure other objectives.”
Scottish Conservative shadow fishing secretary Tim Eagle said: “This agreement is an absolute disaster for the Scottish fishing industry. Sir Keir Starmer and the UK Labour government have not just surrendered to the European Union’s demands, they have totally capitulated to them.
“The deal is a shameful betrayal of our fishermen and will go down like a lead balloon in our coastal communities across Scotland. It is even worse than they feared.”
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: “We welcome closer cooperation with the EU in areas such as agriculture, food and drink, energy and Erasmus. This deal unpicks a small part of the immense damage that Brexit continues to inflict on our economy and living standards.
“It beggars belief that this agreement has been reached by selling out Scotland’s fishing communities. Labour promised fishing communities in Scotland that their interests would be protected in this process, but this deal shows those promise counted for nothing.”
source