The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has called for UK Government to negotiate “appropriate transition periods” and certain exemptions to dynamic alignment.

With UK and EU negotiations for a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal now underway, NFU said this should enable continued progress in specific policy areas and reflect the production practices required to grow food in the UK’s maritime environment.

NFU has asked UK Government to secure a variable-paced, transitional arrangement with phased commencement dates for alignment. It said this will mean distinguishing between areas where trade barriers could be removed quickly, such as for the imports of key horticultural inputs, and those which require a greater time to adjust, such as rules around plant protection products that have diverged from the EU since Brexit.

The NFU has also asked for some exemptions from dynamic alignment. These include enabling continued access to precision breeding technologies and the ability to continue its bovine TB cattle vaccination programme, as well as technical adaptations within EU regulations for mycotoxin contaminants.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “Ultimately, this deal should enable smoother trade with our largest trading partner. Alignment in many areas will help remove friction and unlock trade. But there are some areas that need to be treated carefully to minimise disruption to Britain’s farming sector and some that need to be excluded completely.

“We have given clear direction to the Government’s negotiating team on what we believe is needed to benefit British food production and farm businesses. At the centre of this are appropriate transition periods specific to individual policy areas and some necessary exemptions to help safeguard areas of progression and innovation.”

“It’s important we get this right, so British farmers aren’t unduly bound by rules that restrict our ambitions for food production.”

Bradshaw continued: “It’s important we get this right, so British farmers aren’t unduly bound by rules that restrict our ambitions for food production. Alongside securing necessary exemptions, it’s vital that the UK has a meaningful role in the rule-shaping process in the future and that the voices of British farmers and growers are represented in future discussions.

“It’s up to the Government now to back its farmers around the negotiating table and we’ll continue to work with them as talks progress.”