UK will have ‘voice’ but no vote on EU food rules in Brexit reset

The UK is seeking closer alignment with EU food rules to cut post-Brexit paperwork and border checks, with a deal expected at a summit on Friday. EU relations minister Hamish Falconer says Britain would have a say in discussions but no vote on the rules, prompting critics to warn the country could become a rule taker.

The proposed food reset could remove checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and end separate “Not for EU” labels. Falconer says lower costs for importers could benefit shoppers; the food part is estimated to add £5bn, while the wider agreement is projected to add 0.4% to UK GDP. The National Farmers’ Union welcomed the prospect of fewer inspections but called the changes an opportunity and a risk, noting food exports to the EU have fallen by more than a third since 2019.