Marmalade may need to be relabelled as part of post-Brexit deal with EU
Marmalade may need to be relabelled if a post-Brexit food deal is agreed with the European Union as part of the government’s bid to cut red tape and reduce trade friction with the bloc.
The spread will have to be sold as “citrus marmalade” if the deal, which sees the UK re-accept EU food regulations to boost trade, goes ahead.
The name change will reportedly be necessary as the EU relaxes labeling rules to expand the legal definition of marmalade across Europe.
Previous European regulations, incorporated into UK law before Brexit, meant that only preserves made from citrus fruits could be sold as “marmalade”, while all other types of fruit spreads could be called “jams”.
But following Britain’s departure, Brussels updated its rules to allow all EU countries to label non-citrus products as “marmalade” from June.
Meanwhile, citrus-based preserves will need to be marketed using the new legal name “citrus marmalade.”
The food agreement, formally known as the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, will include common standards on animal and plant health.
Sir Keir Starmer is currently drafting a bill that would give ministers powers to bring the UK into line with EU law as part of a bid to cut paperwork. increase growth in Britain.
The bill, to be put forward this year, would give ministers sweeping powers. Bringing the UK into line with EU law In certain areas such as food standards, animal welfare and pesticide use; dynamic alignment.
It is understood the new powers could be used to implement agreements reached with the EU, including the SPS agreement.
Ministers argue that the dynamic adjustment will have little material impact as UK food producers have largely complied with EU rules since then. Brexitbut it is hoped this will reduce expensive and time-consuming paperwork for suppliers looking to export. single market.
But there are concerns the UK will surrender control over its own laws.
When the UK was a member of the EU, the government had the right to vote on new laws previously accepted by Brussels. But now Britain will need to pass legislation without a vote if it wants to remain in dynamic alignment with the trading bloc.
But government sources said that under the SPS agreement, the UK would have the ability to shape EU decision-making in areas covered by the agreement.
But government sources insisted that whether the deal is accepted or not, companies must switch to EU labeling rules if they want to export to the bloc. The deal comes as part of the government’s wider plan to “reset” relations with Brussels after years of strained relations since Brexit under successive Conservative governments.
The Cabinet Office has been contacted for comment.
