Brussels threatens the UK food deal unless access to long -term fishing is granted

The European Union threatens the time that defines any agreement to remove the red tape on food and drink exports in the United Kingdom through the channel unless it gets long -term access to British fishing waters.

The possibility of the expiration date for the so-called veterinary agreement with the United Kingdom-a major demand for the employment government of Mr. Kiir Starmer-was designed to practice the maximum financial lever on London in negotiations on fishing rights.

Restricting the length of any veterinary deal with the United Kingdom would create uncertainty to exporters, which reduces the potential value of the deal and add pressure on the UK from working to do an open deal on fish.

The sensitive issue is one of the last remaining obstacles with the closure of the two sides in a “re -control” deal after five years Britain’s exit from the European Union At a summit on May 19.

The focus of the deal is a defensive and security agreement, although the UK also wants to enhance the economy by reducing the commercial barriers that were established when it left the bloc.

The required checks on agricultural products such as cheese and beef are one of the largest barriers that the Starmer government seeks to remove.

Currently, Brussels insists on a set of shapes and inspection of physical products for sensitive products because UK standards can differ from European Union standards.

This disrupts trade in particular with Northern Ireland. To avoid solid borders on the island, checks were imposed on trade between them and the British mainland.

The UK government is under pressure to obtain a deal, with the leading supermarkets in the UK including Marks, Spencer and J Sainsbury Open writing Last month’s speech urges both sides to reach an agreement.

It is possible that any deal from the UK requires following the standards of the European Union and accepting the European Court’s enforcement of justice.

the The United Kingdom is the largest market For the agricultural export of the European Union in 2024, it represents 23 percent, or 54 billion euros. It grew by 2.2 billion euros that year.

The bloc imported 15.4 billion euros from the United Kingdom, about half of the UK food and drink exports.

While London argues that the veterinarian deal will benefit the European Union more, member states are inconsistent with the fact that the United Kingdom is in greater need because of its dependence on the European Union market. One of the diplomats participating in the negotiations said: “They are” demand “here.

Cut Britain’s exit from the European Union Fishing rights in the European Union in the United Kingdom Waters by 25 percent over a period of five years, but in June 2026, you will lose all arrival unless it is agreed on a new arrangement. The diplomats said they expect the fish deal to continue for at least five years.

“This is something suggested, but I think it is safe to assume that it will not be the final situation. The work needs certainty and having to re -negotiate matters every few years,” said one of the British officials who have seen the negotiations.

The UK government said it “does not provide a current comment on our discussions with the European Union,” but added: “We are clear that we will always act in the national interest to secure the best results for the United Kingdom.”

The European Commission refused to comment.