The UK wine industry has cautiously welcomed a recent trade “reset” with the European Union, highlighting potential improvements in cross-border logistics while warning that much depends on the fine print yet to be revealed.
Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), described the development as “great news” for the sector, noting that any enhancement in the UK’s relationship with the EU is positive. However, Beale stressed that “the devil is in the detail” and expressed the need for careful scrutiny of the legal texts expected in the coming weeks.
“For the UK wine sector, where imports account for 99% of all wine consumed, it is essential that any new rules and obligations are tailored to support the UK market,” he said.
Speaking at the London Wine Fair prior to the formal announcement of the reset, Beale tempered expectations, stating the changes would not serve as a “panacea” or signal a return to the customs union or single market. “Since 2016, everything has been getting worse—sometimes faster, sometimes slower—but today may mark the first example of meaningful improvement,” he noted.
Simon Stannard, WSTA’s director of policy, echoed Beale’s cautiously optimistic tone during a separate briefing at the fair. He pointed out that while the agreement mainly targets the movement of live animals and perishable goods, its knock-on effects could benefit the wine trade by easing broader supply chain constraints. “Hopefully there will be an easier movement of goods between the EU and the UK,” Stannard said.
He acknowledged recent setbacks, including stalled plans to modernise the UK’s customs system, but remained hopeful that the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement could simplify procedures and accelerate goods movement. “Until we see the detail, it’s difficult to know, but the mood music coming out of the Treasury suggests a push for more simplified and electronic procedures,” he added.
David Richardson, director of regulatory and commercial affairs at the WSTA, noted that wine imports have been hindered by being deprioritised behind categories such as live animals, frozen foods, and plants. With fewer checks now required for those goods, wine could benefit indirectly from faster processing times. “It means the traffic jam in front of your wine might become quicker,” he said.
Still, Richardson cautioned that it may take weeks for the full implications to become clear, and adjustments will take time. “There’s a cost to change and retraining, but we’ve had plenty of practice over the last eight to 10 years,” he remarked. “When I say business as usual by 2028, it’s telling that no one from HMRC disagrees.”
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