British food standards realigned with EU for first time since exit as pivotal summit approaches

The plans are set to be ratified at the UK-EU summit later this month, in which Prime Minister Andy Burnham will attempt to kickstart closer relations with the bloc.

Mr Burnham has previously spoken of hoping for a “pragmatic” approach to the EU and wanting to secure a “deal that works for everybody”.

Since being introduced in 2023 as part of the Windsor Framework, the “not for EU” food labels have caused outrage amongst food industry bosses.

Chief executive of M&S, Stuart Machin, called the labels “bureaucratic madness” as Britain has some of the “highest food standards in the world”.

He said in 2025: “Quite frankly it’s bureaucratic madness, confusing for customers, and completely unnecessary given the UK has some of the highest food standards in the world.”

However, the labels are set to be scrapped as part of a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.

A source told The Times the deal was “as good as done” and would result in food standards aligning with the EU for the first time since the UK formally left in 2020.

They said: “It is a big step forward in doing business and labelling has been part of the conversation.

“UK products would be considered as EU ones because they’d be following the same standards.”

The agreement would also mean the need for veterinary certificates will be removed, saving a cost £200 of each and physical checks on farm produce.

As part of the deal, some products will need to be reformulated to meet EU food standards and British farmers may lose access to some pesticides.

Other products will face new enforcements, with marmalade products needing to be labelled more specifically as “citrus marmalade”.

Some produce including nuts, fruit, vegetables and blended honey will need more detailed labelling including country of origin.

The agreement and alignment with the EU is expected to be announced at the summit later this month, alongside a deal on the emissions trading scheme and an agreement on a revived youth mobility scheme.

A source familiar with the talks told The Guardian: “We are willing to give the Europeans what they want on fees, but we will have to get something significant in return.

“The biggest prize we are pushing for right now is access to Made in Europe, so there is a deal to be done there.”

A Government spokeswoman said in a statement: “We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and create more opportunities for young people and communities across the whole UK.

“A food and drink deal could deliver up to £5.1billion a year for the UK economy, slashing the costly red tape that only helps drive up supermarket prices and stifle trade.”