UK EU Food Deal: Price Too High? Windsor Concerns
Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the provided text, focusing on the concerns raised by Greg Hands:
* EU regulations & UK Innovation: Hands expresses worry that new EU regulations (specifically regarding Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards) will be imposed on the UK without the UK having any say in their creation. He believes this could stifle emerging industries in the UK, specifically mentioning the work being done on Genetically Modified (GM) crops.
* SPS agreement & GB/NI Trade: He’s skeptical that a potential SPS agreement between the UK and EU will significantly boost trade between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI).While it might reduce paperwork and bureaucracy, he doubts it will create a ample increase in trade volume, using the example of “Tesco sausages.”
* Negotiation Timeline: The SPS negotiations are expected to take up to two years, though a European Commissioner hopes to conclude them within one year.
In essence, Hands is concerned about the UK losing control over its regulatory surroundings and the limited impact of a potential SPS agreement on trade.