Today, the UK has agreed a deal with the EU. This means that from 1 January 2021, businesses in every part of the UK will be able to take advantage of the new opportunities available as an independent trading nation and make trade deals with other partners around the world. The free trade agreement agreed is based on zero tariffs and zero quotas, meaning businesses will be able to trade smoothly, selling to their customers in the EU, and people will be able to continue to buy goods from Europe tariff-free.
Link to speech, here.
Defra have successfully agreed wide-ranging provisions on Technical BarrierstoTrade (TBT) that seek to facilitate trade by avoiding unnecessary regulatory barriers between the two parties. It includes specific arrangements that will deliver real economic value in sectors such as medicines and organic products. This is supported by five sectoral annexes with dedicated provisions for important growth sectors: automotive, pharmaceuticals, chemicals,organic products and wine.
This means that existing control body codes can bemused for exports to the EU and moving goods to NI: GB-ORG—XX . There is no need to add GB-BIO-XXX to packaging. The EU organic logo can be used for the duration of the organic arrangements.
OTB members can find more information and resources from Defra on the Organic equivalency deal here on the OTB members hub, email Annie if you need the password.
