UK-EU trade deal has 'deeply troubling' aspects, says CLA

The CLA has labelled aspects of the UK-EU trade deal 'deeply concerning' after the government agreed to hand power to the European courts to impose some of the new rules.

The Prime Minister has announced a wide-ranging agreement with the EU, reducing checks on food exports to the continent.

But under the deal, the UK will be expected to follow EU rules it does not write – overseen by the European Court of Justice.

As a further concession, a new fishing deal will keep the current status quo giving EU boats continued access to UK waters until 2038. The 2020 Brexit deal was due to run out next year.

Responding, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:

“Is a bad deal better than no deal? It depends who pays the price. We sympathise with the fishing industry, as the government’s concession will have a significant impact on fishing and coastal communities, as well as the marine environment, for many years to come.

“Although the EU is a key market for UK produce, and lower export costs would help make our goods more competitive for European consumers, signing up to allow the European Court of Justice to impose decisions affecting our goods is an unnecessary surrender of control. We need immediate reassurance that the UK will have a voice in the decision-making process in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement.

“Cutting red tape on food exports and plant and animal health for trade sounds positive if unlikely, but tying us to an agreement that involves European Court of Justice oversight is deeply concerning and could hinder our ability to strike future trade deals with other countries.”

• Officials will drop some routine border checks on animal and plant shipments to and from the EU.
• The UK and EU will link their carbon markets to avoid taxes on carbon-intensive goods like steel and cement travelling between them.
• A new passport system will make it easier for UK pets to travel, ending the need for repeat vet certificates.

It follows other trade deals recently announced with the US and India. Read more CLA analysis here.