Fifth meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, 29 September 2025: minutes
Updated 18 December 2025
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1. Introduction and welcome
The UK welcomed the EU delegation to London, as well as online observers. The parties welcomed the opportunity to take stock of the current relationship. The meeting agenda was adopted.
2. Updates on legislative developments
2.1 Animal welfare
The UK provided updates on legislative developments on the Animal Welfare Bill (Import of Dogs, Cates and Ferrets Bill) and the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports Bill). The UK also highlighted the upcoming Animal Welfare Strategy, and offered to hold further discussions with the EU once the Strategy is published.
The EU provided an update on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.
2.2 Precision breeding and new genomic techniques (NGTs)
The UK and the EU provided updates on the progress of the Precision Breeding Act and on the proposed legislation on new genomic techniques respectively. The EU noted it had received written questions from members states on the UK’s Precision Breeding Act, to which the UK agreed to respond. The UK will communicate all relevant guidance on new secondary legislation (applicable as of 13.11.25) to the EU.
2.3 Regulated product reform
The UK updated the EU on reforms to their regulatory product authorisations and agreed to provide further follow up information in writing. The EU highlighted their own plans for simplification in this area and their open consultation, and invited UK comments.
3. Import controls
The UK provided an update on the BTOM implementation. The EU welcomed the continued collaboration.
4. Commodity specific measures
On seed potatoes, the UK reiterated the need to resume trade as soon as possible. The EU updated that they sent the draft seed potato audit report that morning, but noted that this was not the only step to resume trade. The EU requested an update on the marketing applications from some member states to the UK. The UK confirmed receipt of the information and that applications are in progress. The UK confirmed that the marketing of seed potatoes falls under devolved competence.
The EU also informed the UK that the draft audit report on official control systems in place for bivalve molluscs harvested from classified production areas intended for the EU had been sent on the same day.
The EU reiterated their concerns on the UK’s measures on the import of porcine meat and meat products. The UK and EU agreed to further technical discussions on the issue, especially regarding sharing list of ASF restricted zones in a timely manner, with the EU to provide examples of specific issues in writing.
On triangular trade, the EU asked the UK to clarify their definition of deboning. The UK and EU agreed to exchange on this in writing.
5. E-certification
The EU offered to continue collaboration to improve collaboration on e-certification. The UK provided an update on the progress of e-certificates, and agreed to a further discussion.
6. Sharing of information
The EU updated on the disease outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), and African Swine Fever (ASF), and highlighted the work of relevant Member States in managing these outbreaks.
The UK noted that they are anticipating reviewing restrictions on Slovakia once they obtain WOAH’s disease freedom status for FMD. Furthermore, the UK are awaiting responses to questionnaires sent to France to feed into the regionalisation process for LSD, which the EU updated would be with the UK soon.
The UK updated on concerns on the increased incidence of Brucella Canis in the UK which have been traced back to imports from EU Member States. The UK and the EU agreed to share information on this issue going forward.
7. Cooperation
The UK and EU updated on ongoing positive cooperation in the WTO SPS Committee. Both Parties also reiterated their commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance and the importance of supporting this in other multilateral fora.
8. Any other business
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) provided an update on their risk assessment of idiosyncratic reactions, specifically glycerol in slushed ice drinks, which led to revised FSA public health advice. The EU agreed to share the FSA’s presentation with relevant officials and provide any follow up questions.
Closing remarks
The action points from the Committee were noted.
Participants
EU Delegation
- EU Co-Chair of the TSC SPS
- European Commission Officials
- Officials from the Delegation of the European Union to the UK
- Representatives of EU Member States
UK Delegation
- UK Co-chair of the TSC SPS
- UK Government Officials from Defra, Food Standards Agency, and Foreign,
- Commonwealth and Development Office
- UK Mission to the European Union Official
- Officials from Scottish Government, Northern Ireland Executive, and Welsh Government
- Officials from Governments of Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man