The UK and EU have reached a historic post-Brexit trade deal after months of negotiations, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declaring, “Britain is back on the world stage”.
The key points in the talks which were the first since Boris Johnson agreed the initial Brexit deal in January 2020, when the UK left the EU include eGate access for British passport holders in Europe, no health certificates every time pets travel to Europe and the removal of red tape from most food and drink imports and exports.
UK fishing rights, however, were yet again a major sticking point as the EU wanted permanent access to UK waters for fishing before agreeing to a deal which extends the current rules on fishing for 12 years.
eGates and pet passports
Under the new deal, British passport holders will be able to use eGates in Europe following years of lengthy passport control queues. Pet passports will also be brought back so cats, dogs and ferrets coming from the UK will no longer need expensive health certificates from vets in both the UK and Europe to travel with their owners to the EU.
Under the deal, most routine checks and the need for certificates for food and drinks have also been removed to reduce the burden on businesses and reduce lorry queues at the border.
Defence partnership
A new security and defence partnership was also agreed so the UK defence industry can participate in the EU’s plan for a £150bn defence fund called Security Action for Europe (SAFE).
Talks are also continuing on a youth mobility scheme to allow people aged 18-30 in the UK and the EU to move freely between countries for a limited period to work, study and travel.
The UK and the EU will also work towards reviving Erasmus, the student exchange programme that was scrapped when Brexit happened while both sides have agreed to further work on finding solutions to tackle illegal migration, including on returns and a joint commitment to tackle Channel crossings.
