London, UK: British food sales to the EU have fallen by more than 16% on average across the three years since Brexit according to a report from the Centre of Inclusive Trade Policy. This equates to a £2.82bn a year drop in produce travelling from Britain to the EU.
The reports says British businesses blamed “mind-boggling” bureaucracy on a £3bn-a-year hit to food exports since Brexit. Exporters are reported to have had to hire additional staff to handle the paperwork.
Labour’s manifesto promised to improve the UK’s trading relationship with the EU through a veterinary agreement, which it says would prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the soaring cost of food.
A report from Aston University found that such an agreement could boost agri-food exports from the UK to the EU by 22.5%. However, ministers have not said if any progress has been made on any negotiations with the EU.
The Centre of Inclusive Trade Policy said the first step in negotiations should be to take stock of the divergence that has taken place since Brexit, to bring about closer alignment.
