The European Union is preparing to offer Prime Minister Keir Starmer a significant concession in negotiations over a post-Brexit agricultural deal, permitting the United Kingdom to retain its ban on live animal exports. This move is seen as a crucial victory for Starmer as he seeks to strengthen ties with the EU and bolster his political standing.
Key Concession in Agricultural Talks
European officials have indicated that the UK will be allowed to keep its prohibition on exporting live farm animals for fattening or slaughter, even though the EU itself has not implemented a similar ban. The carve-out is expected to be part of a broader agreement on food and agricultural products, providing a boost to Starmer's efforts to negotiate closer EU cooperation in areas such as emissions trading and youth mobility.
A British official expressed confidence in the outcome, stating, “We’re confident on this and don’t think it’s going to be an issue, but of course negotiations are ongoing.” The European Commission declined to comment while talks continue, but a Brussels source noted that a framework agreement signed in May allows the UK to be exempted from EU regulations if its rules are stricter. Since the ban applies only to UK farmers, it would not negatively affect EU producers.
Political Significance for Starmer
The concession comes at a critical time for Starmer, who is facing mounting pressure from his own MPs to resign after disappointing local election results. During a speech on Monday, which was billed as a make-or-break moment for his premiership, Starmer highlighted the prospective EU deal as evidence of his government's progress. He declared, “The last government was defined by breaking our relationship with Europe; this Labour government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship with Europe.”
The prime minister hopes to sign an agricultural trade deal as one of three key components of a new EU agreement to be announced at a summit this summer. However, negotiations are currently stalled over a separate issue: whether European students should pay the same university tuition fees as part of a youth mobility scheme.
Animal Welfare and Legal Implications
The ban on live animal exports was imposed by Rishi Sunak's government in 2024, touted as a post-Brexit freedom that bolstered the UK's animal welfare standards. The EU is the world's largest exporter of live farm animals, but campaigners argue the practice causes overcrowding, exhaustion, dehydration, and stress.
Legal experts warned that without a specific carve-out, the UK would have to abandon the ban entirely. Catherine Barnard, a professor of European law at the University of Cambridge, explained, “There would need to be an express carve-out in the SPS [sanitary and phytosanitary] agreement. People in the UK care very much about this, so while in the EU the UK tried and failed to stop exports in the past.”
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, emphasized the importance of protecting the ban: “It is vital – in the interests of these animals – that this successful ban is protected. An exemption is vital, and will help protect things like the prohibition of live exports, puppy imports, and bans on cages for farmed animals.”
Compromises on Other Animal Welfare Rules
While the UK has secured this concession, it has had to give way on other animal welfare issues during negotiations. The Guardian previously reported that the EU is likely to block ministers from enacting a pre-election commitment to ban foie gras imports, and similarly will not allow the UK to ban fur imports.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds defended these compromises in a recent interview, stating, “The prize is big. We can talk about the detail, but the overall prize here is to bring down the barriers at the border.”
A government spokesperson said, “We have a strong track record of delivering for animal welfare and the EU has accepted that there needs to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules. We are negotiating those now and won’t provide a running commentary on negotiations. What we will do is secure a deal that could be worth up to £5.1bn for the British economy and delivers the best outcome for the British people.”
