Government agrees to many of committee’s recommendations as UK moves away from Border Trade Operating Model
Defra said it has “learned lessons” from a recent Efra Committee report as the UK transitions away from the post-Brexit Border Trade Operating Model (BTOM) and negotiations begin for a UK-EU SPS Agreement.
On 13 November negotiations began between the UK and EU to align Britain’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards with those of the EU, removing the need for most certificates and checks on animals, plants, and related products moving between Britain and the EU.
Responding to the Efra Committee’s recent report, UK-EU Trade: Towards a resilient border strategy, Defra said it “broadly accepts” many of the committee’s conclusions and recommendations relating to the UK’s trade in food and plant products.
The committee’s report evaluated the government’s latest operational framework – the Border Target Operating Model – finding several flaws in the current arrangements.
To maintain standards and safeguard biosecurity at borders, a “robust, risk-based regime is essential”, Defra responded.
Chair of the Efra Committee, Alistair Carmichael, said: “We welcome Defra’s acceptance of many of our findings and are encouraged by its broad agreement to our recommendations.
“Rather than blame a lack of information-sharing on the outcomes of SPS negotiations, there is enough detail here to demonstrate that ministers are taking the committee’s concerns seriously.
“As negotiations begin, the committee will continue to monitor the situation and the impact on the different stakeholders who shared their concerns with us.”
While the department emphasises the need to balance “transparency with commercial sensitivity and operational confidentiality” and sought to offer clarity on certain points.
For example, ministers are working to improve conditions for drivers at the Sevington inland Border Control Post. However, until negotiations on the SPS Agreement – on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures – are completed, there remains uncertainty over what the border will look like in future.
In the meantime, Defra said it would provide a snapshot of inspection attendance rates at Sevington by the end of January 2026, enabling the Efra Committee to examine the data and assess compliance by commercial traders.
During the transition away from BTOM to the UK-EU SPS Agreement, the government agrees it is vital to ensure timelines for decision-making and delivery are communicated “with as much notice as possible” to minimise disruption to those involved.
