Downing Street: The EU agreement means cheaper foods and an infusion of 9 billion pounds in the British economy
In a movement with a major symbolic and economic resonance, the British government announced on Monday morning to paraphrase a complex agreement with the European Union, meant to reduce bureaucracy in agri-food trade and to reinvigorate bilateral relations frozen for years after Brexit.
EU summit-Britain/photo: x@kajakallas
According to Downing Street, the understanding will bring estimated benefits to 9 billion pounds for the Economy of the United Kingdom and will lead to lowering food prices-a first-rate political objective in a persistent inflation and social dissatisfaction context.
The agreement involves the elimination of routine checks for food exports to the community block, in exchange for extending the access of European fishermen to British waters for a period of another 12 years – a significant concession that has already caused negative reactions from the profile industry.
“It is an agreement that reduces costs, unlocks trade with the European Union and protects our strategic interests”, Said a British government official. However, in the British political and economic environment, the agreement is seen by some as an excessive concession, given that the initial proposal of London was only 6 years for access to fish resources.
Major compromises for an “economic dividend”
At the center of the agreement there is a dynamic alignment commitment to European standards for food and agricultural products, which will allow, among other things, to resume product exports such as hamburgers and sausages, forbidden by facto following Brexit. In contrast, the United Kingdom accepts a limited form of jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in monitoring the application of sanitary and phytosanitary rules (SPS).
Also, the understanding includes a deeper deepest cooperation, a preliminary carbon tax agreement – meant to protect British companies from new border taxes imposed by the EU – and a commitment on the mobility of young people, which could allow citizens under 30 years to work and travel to the European space, similar to the new programs.
Critics from Scotland and dissatisfaction in the territory
The Scottish government reacted promptly, accusing the London authorities of ignoring decentralized fishing competences. Angus Robertson, Scottish Minister for Foreign Affairs, criticized the lack of consultation and invoked the repeated cancellation of inter -ministerial meetings on environment and nutrition.
“The London government has negotiated a 12 -year agreement in the field of fishing, without any prior consultation with decentralized governments. It is a flagrant lack of institutional respect.” Robertson transmitted on social networks.
Partial
In addition to commercial aspects, the agreement also includes practical facilities for citizens. The British will again be able to use fast gates for European citizens at EU airports, and pets will be mutually recognized, eliminating laborious veterinary controls.
At the same time, the discussions regarding the return of the United Kingdom in the Erasmus program will continue, as well as access to European facial recognition bases – a priority point for British authorities in combating cross -border crime.
However, the United Kingdom will not yet have access to the European Defense Fund worth 150 billion euros, but London officials say that the agreement creates the “legal basis” for possible integration.
“A historical day”
“It is a day that marks the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship with the European Union. The UK-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement responds to citizens' priorities-jobs, prices, security.”said Nick Thomas-Symonds, the British chief negotiator.
In a common appearance with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von Der Leyen, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that it is time for the United Kingdom to “go further”, giving up the sterile debates of the past and building pragmatic relations for the benefit of the citizens.
