The UK government has suspended the introduction of time-consuming border checks on certain animal and plant goods, including live animal imports from the EU and specific goods coming from Ireland and Northern Ireland.
New move to ease trade between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain
This suspension comes in anticipation of the UK’s forthcoming Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, aimed at simplifying food trade across the region.
What does this mean for Ireland and Northern Ireland exports?
The deal will remove the requirement for routine physical inspections on movements of non-qualifying goods from Ireland and Northern Ireland to UK. Goods include:
- Live animals
- Certain plant and animal goods.
These goods will remain subject to pre-notification and certification requirements, with risk-based inspections occurring only when necessary.
As negotiations on the full EU-UK SPS agreement continue, businesses are reminded to comply with the current Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) requirements.
For further information please see this press release on GOV.UK
Prepared by the InterTradeIreland Trade Hub Team
Article published: August 2025