Carmichael delivers EFRA report on UK-EU negotiations in Parliament

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has this week delivered a statement in Parliament on the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee report into UK-EU trade negotiations. The report, focused on the proposed sanitary and phytosanitary agreement between the UK and EU, which would affect a wide range of agrifood trade, identifies significant opportunities for the UK, but also risks to farmers from a mishandled deal.

Mr Carmichael is Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Mr Carmichael said:

“It is clear from our time in Brussels that the Prime Minister’s reset in May 2025 has created a political environment in which the early conclusion of a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the European Union is a realistic objective.

“Progressing towards an agreement at pace brings with it both opportunities and threats. The main threat we identify is that the process of dynamic alignment could result in us aligning with regulations that weaken the position of our food producers, as it might deny them access to products on which they currently rely.

“Our engagement with our own Government has been less straightforward. The Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations declined our invitation to appear before the Committee and has offered instead a private briefing for me as Chair. For us not to scrutinise fully the Government’s conduct of these negotiations would be a dereliction of our duty, which I am not prepared to countenance.

“We heard deep concerns from the agrifood sector that unqualified dynamic alignment risks placing additional burdens on UK farmers, while undercutting them with cheaper imports produced under weaker standards. Our report therefore recommends that the Government seek a Swiss-style carve-out for animal welfare rules, ensuring that the UK is not compelled to follow every regulatory change that could be to the detriment of higher UK standards in this area.

“Similarly, the Government should seek an exemption from dynamic alignment for precision-bred products. Some of the UK is ahead of the EU in this area, with farmers in England already having been enabled to grow and market precision-bred seeds, plants, food and animal feed. Without an exemption, we risk losing the benefits of moving first. Mandatory alignment with future EU rules could undermine our progress and innovation and weaken the UK’s leadership in the sector.

“A workable SPS agreement will require careful, phased implementation. Border authorities, the Food Standards Agency, local authorities, port health teams, laboratories and industry all made clear to us that significant regulatory change requires long lead-in times. We therefore recommend a minimum 24-month implementation period for any major regulatory changes arising from an SPS agreement.”