14 to 15 July 2025: Joint summary minutes of the UK-Andean Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Sub-Committee
Updated 5 February 2026
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This meeting of the Sub-Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) under the UK-Andean Trade Agreement (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, UK) took place virtually on 14 and 15 July 2025.
There was a fruitful discussion on matters related to implementation of the SPS Chapter by participants of the meeting, including ongoing co-operation, resolving technical issues, and updates on regulatory matters.
1. Opening remarks and approval of the agenda
Peru chaired the meeting, highlighting the role of the SPS Sub-Committee in safeguarding health while facilitating trade. All parties noted the agenda and approved it, with a minor agenda amendment from Colombia accepted.
2. Review of 2024 Action Plan
Parties discussed outstanding commitments from the previous year and a number of these were to be discussed in more detail as agenda items in this Sub-Committee.
3. Discussion by the SPS Sub-Committee of its Rules of Procedure
Discussion concerned final amendments to the Rules of Procedure following comments by the various parties. The SPS Sub-Committee would look to finalise and approve the Rules of Procedure document ahead of the Trade Committee to be held on 8 August 2025.
4. Andean countries’ items of interest for discussion
Requests for each of the Andean countries were discussed in turn, with an update from the UK on these, along with consideration and confirmation of next steps.
Areas and items of interest from Colombia discussed included dairy exports, co-operation on SPS procedures, and post-larvae shrimp exports.
From Ecuador items of interest discussed included technical co-operation, and digital certification.
While from Peru, items and areas of interest included digital certification, control of veterinary medicines, and co-operation.
5. UK’s items of interest for discussion
Progress on UK market access requests to the various Andean countries was discussed along with next steps. Items discussed included bovine and ovine genetic material, poultry by-products, and dairy products.
6. Conclusions and closing remarks
Peru summarised discussions and agreed to draft full minutes following the meeting. All parties agreed to allow publication of a summary version once approved.
The parties thanked each other for a productive meeting and looked forward to working together on shared priorities in the SPS space in the future. They would continue to co-operate to progress items and issues discussed.