UK and EU remove routine food border checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The UK and EU have agreed a deal to cut food trade checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Under the agreement, ports in Northern Ireland will no longer carry out routine physical checks on products like dairy, fish, eggs, and red meat. Businesses will also stop paying for Export Health Certificates, which currently cost up to £200 per delivery. The deal is expected to start in summer 2027. The UK has agreed to follow EU rules on food products in return. Small and medium-sized businesses should benefit most, because many stopped trading with the EU after Brexit made it too expensive. Customs paperwork will still be required, even without the physical checks.