Both food exports to and imports from the UK have fallen significantly since Brexit, according to data from the UK’s Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy (CITP). Border controls, more complex regulations and bureaucracy in particular have caused trade movements to slow.
European Union food exports to the UK have fallen by £4,34 billion (€5,27 billion at current exchange rates) per year over the past three years, a decline of 8,7%. On average, UK agri-food exports to the EU have fallen by a staggering 16,3% compared to three years ago. In absolute terms, the decline in EU exports to the UK has been greater than UK exports to the EU. UK food exports to the EU have fallen by £2,8 billion (€3,4 billion) since Brexit.
Bureaucracy
Exports fell sharply, especially after the UK reintroduced border controls. In addition, the increase in bureaucracy is a major obstacle. Around 90% of British food regulations were made in Brussels. However, since Brexit, it is no longer self-evident that rules agree, which has led to a significant increase in bureaucracy in trade.
So since Great Britain the borders with the European Union again, a large number of new certificates are required. Great Britain and the European Union are in full negotiation about a method to scale down the bureaucracy. Finally, stricter regulation of crop protection products makes it more difficult for British companies to sell products on the European market. On the other hand, market access for animal products is being made more difficult because the United Kingdom has stricter animal welfare requirements than the European Union since Brexit, writes CITP.