As the UK and EU continue negotiations for a new SPS agreement, the NFU says greater investment in agri-food attachés is essential to remove trade barriers
NFU president Tom Bradshaw has called for ongoing investment in agri-food attachés to break down market barriers under the forthcoming UK-EU agreements.
The union’s calls for continued investment to strengthen the overseas market comes in light of ongoing UK-EU SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) negotiations. Once finalised, the agreement is expected to reduce border checks and paperwork on agricultural goods traded between the UK and EU.
While the NFU has welcomed the news that agri-food and drink attachés have unlocked £80 million in new export opportunities, the union warns significant attachés investments are required to ensure they have the right tools to grow and deliver for British farmers and the economy.
The agri-food attachés network, expanded at the 2023 Farm to Fork Summit, places specialist agricultural representatives in key overseas markets to help remove trade barriers, develop commercial relationships and promote British produce.
However, NFU President Tom Bradshaw warned that the greatest challenge remains rebuilding trade with Britain’s largest export destination.
Bradshaw said: “The EU remains our largest trading partner, accounting for 68 per cent of the UK’s total agri-food exports in 2025, and we cannot ignore the stark reality that our agri-food exports to the EU have declined by 32.5 per cent since 2019.”
Attachés play a key role in building relationships with their boots-on-the-ground approach , and help UK exporters capitalise on opportunities in overseas markets.
The NFU emphasised the role of attachés in enabling British exporters to make use of the increased market access the government has secured for British food in its FTA (Free Trade Agreement) negotiations.
However, Bradshaw emphasised attachés must form part of a wider trade policy that champions British food abroad while protecting sensitive sectors and ensuring farmers are not undercut by produce produced to lower standards abroad.
“To re-build these markets will require significant investment in resources with agri-food attachés in those key EU markets essential to promote and champion British produce, unlock new export opportunities and drive long-term economic growth for the country.
