A deal to "reset" relations between the UK and the EU following Brexit has been agreed at a summit in London. The agreement covers a range of issues, including defence, fishing, the trade in food products and the ability of young people to move freely between the UK and the EU. BBC Verify has gone through the deal, picking out the potential winners and losers. Winner: UK food exporters to the EU who could see fewer checks Loser: People who don't want the UK to follow EU rules, as there are strings attached Since Brexit, UK goods travelling to the EU – including food products – have faced new checks and extra paperwork. Some items, such as UK exports of raw burgers and sausages, have been banned from entering the EU because they do not meet its strict import rules. UK food exports to the EU have fallen– with volumes in 2024 down 34% compared with 2019 – and the industry blames this partly on the added red tape. Now, both sides have agreed to work on a joint food safety agreement that could remove many of the current barriers. If signed and fully implemented, it would reduce paperwork, ease checks, and could even lift bans on products like raw meats. Food and drink exports to the EU in 2023were worth £14bn, accounting for 57% of all the sector's overseas sales. But the deal comes with conditions. The UK will need to follow future EU food standards – a system known as "dynamic alignment" – and accept that the European Court of Justice will have the final say in any disputes in this area. The UK will be also required to make a financial contribution. However is it currently unknown how much the payment would be and when it would be required. Winner: The EU - fishing vessels get 12 more years of access to UK waters Loser: UK fishermen who wanted annual negotiations on fishing access Although fishing accounts for a very small part of the UK economy -just 0.04% of GDP in 2024- it is politically sensitive. The "reset" document notes "political agreements leading to full reciprocal access to waters to fish until 30 June 2038" - a 12-year extension to the current deal negotiated by Boris Johnson's Conservative government - and much longer than expected. Under the existing agreement (due to expire in 2026), EU vessels get access to UK waters to fish - in return for transferring 25% of their fishing quota - the amount they are allowed to catch - to UK fleets. Some UK fishing groups have criticised the existing deal and do not want to see it extended. Elspeth Macdonald, who represents 450 fishing boats as chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation says: "This deal is a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson's botched Brexit agreement." She says the long-term deal takes away the industry's bargaining power in future talks and would prefer annual negotiations with the EU. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says there will be "no increase in the amount that the EU vessels can catch in British waters" and says it will now be easier for UK fishermen to export their products. In 2023, the UKexported £1.2bn of fish to the EU, around 70% of all fish exports. Tavish Scott from Salmon Scotland, which represents salmon farming in Scotland, says the agreement to reduce checks would "speed up the delivery of our premium salmon to market". Winner: Young people in the UK and EU who should - if this is confirmed - be able to work and study more freely between the two Loser: Those who oppose an increase in net migration to the UK will point out that any mobility scheme could affect immigration figures, although this effect may be temporary The details here are still to be confirmed, but the winners would be those young people from both the UK and EU who would be able to work and study more easily across Europe and Great Britain. Other youth mobility schemes have focused on people aged 18 to 30. However, the impact of what is being called a "youth experience scheme" could be uneven. Before Brexit more young people from the EU came to the UK than went the other way. And, remember, Sir Keir has pledged to "significantly" reduce immigration levels in the coming years. So there's a big question mark on what impact a UK-EU scheme could have on UK immigration levels. Madeleine Sumption from Oxford University's Migration Observatory told BBC Verify that a scheme would likely increase net migration in the short term, as new participants arrive. However, she adds that if everyone left the UK when their visa expired, the long-term impact on migration levels would be minimal. "If the UK is worried about the impact, it could phase in the scheme, where it gradually increases the quota. So as people leave, the quota could be raised rather than a big bang all come at once," she said. Winner: British tourists may be able to use eGates at EU airports but we do not know which ones and from when Loser: Those expecting to escape long queues this summer As part of the agreement, UK nationals will be able to use eGates at EU airports, rather than having their passport manually checked by a border officer. The government claims: "British holidaymakers will be able to use more eGates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control." However the text of the EU-UK agreement is less clear, only referring to the "potential use of eGates where appropriate". It is unlikely any change will be implemented by the summer, travel organisation Abta told BBC Verify. Abta believes the deal clarifies that the EU countries can offer eGates to UK nationals once a new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into effect in October. EES is an automated IT system for registering all non-EU travellers for a short stay, each time they cross the EU's external borders. Whether UK passengers will avoid a border guard altogether will depend on the technology at each border crossing, Abta says. Winner: UK defence firms may get contracts from new EU rearmament fund Loser: EU defence firms which hoped to get more of these revenues The EU has established a Security Action for Europe fund (SAFE) with €150bn (£126bn) of loans, backed by the EU budget, to enable its member states to rearm. This was going to be spent on EU-based defence firms. The fund also allows for the involvement of a number of non-EU countries and could now be opened up to UK defence companies too. This would potentially allow EU firms to use the fund to buy kit from the UK. The UK has a large defence manufacturing industry relative to many EU states and this sector directlyemploys about164,00 peoplein the UK. Between 2020 and 2024, the UK wasestimated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Instituteto have accounted for around 3.6% of total global annual arms exports, making the UK the seventh largest national exporter. Again, the detail is still being worked out here and we do not know when and exactly how the UK will participate in the fund. What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Who are the winners and losers from the UK-EU agreement?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK-EU Agreement Reaches Key Areas of Trade, Fishing, and Mobility Post-Brexit"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
A significant agreement has been reached to recalibrate the relationship between the UK and the EU following Brexit, with the deal covering multiple issues such as defense, fishing rights, food product trade, and youth mobility. According to analysis by BBC Verify, various stakeholders will emerge as winners and losers from this agreement. UK food exporters stand to benefit from reduced checks on their products entering the EU, potentially revitalizing a sector that has suffered a 34% decline in export volumes since 2019 due to increased red tape. The proposed joint food safety agreement aims to eliminate some of these barriers, although it comes with conditions that require the UK to adhere to future EU food standards and accept the oversight of the European Court of Justice in disputes. This agreement could lead to a resurgence in UK food exports, which amounted to £14 billion in 2023, representing over half of the sector's total overseas sales. However, the deal's strings attached may displease those in the UK who oppose further alignment with EU regulations.
In the fishing industry, the deal extends access for EU vessels to UK waters for an additional 12 years, a move that has been met with criticism from UK fishermen who desired annual negotiations for fishing access. The agreement's political significance is underscored by the fact that fishing, while constituting a small fraction of the UK economy, remains a contentious issue. Additionally, young people from both the UK and EU may benefit from increased mobility for work and study, although this could raise concerns regarding net migration levels. The agreement also includes provisions for UK tourists to utilize eGates at EU airports, potentially easing travel, though the implementation timeline remains unclear. Lastly, UK defense firms could gain contracts from the EU's new rearmament fund, which may allow them to participate in the procurement process, thus enhancing the UK's defense industry's standing within Europe. Overall, while the agreement presents opportunities for some sectors, it also raises significant questions and concerns for others, reflecting the complexities of post-Brexit negotiations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article outlines a recent agreement between the UK and the EU, which aims to "reset" their relationship post-Brexit. This deal addresses various critical areas such as trade, fishing, and mobility for young people. The coverage identifies clear winners and losers, hinting at a nuanced dynamic that could influence public sentiment and political discourse in the UK and EU.
Winners and Losers Analysis
The agreement presents a significant win for UK food exporters, as it promises to reduce checks and paperwork associated with EU imports. This change is particularly relevant given the substantial decline in UK food exports to the EU since Brexit, where volumes are reported to have dropped by 34% compared to 2019. On the flip side, there are conditions tied to this benefit, such as compliance with EU food standards and potential financial contributions, which could alienate those who oppose EU regulations.
In the fishing sector, although the EU gains extended access to UK waters for another 12 years, this comes at the expense of UK fishermen who sought more control through annual negotiations. The political sensitivity surrounding fishing, despite its small contribution to the overall economy, makes this a contentious issue.
Public Perception and Political Implications
The news focuses on the delicate balance of benefits and drawbacks, likely intending to shape public perception in a way that highlights the complexities of post-Brexit negotiations. By framing the agreement as a "reset," it may aim to foster a sense of optimism while simultaneously acknowledging the challenges that remain. The article subtly suggests that while some sectors may benefit, there are significant trade-offs that could affect the political landscape, especially among those who advocate for a more independent UK stance.
Potential Concealed Issues
There is a possibility that the article downplays the implications of dynamic alignment with EU regulations. The financial contributions required from the UK side remain vague, which could lead to public dissatisfaction if not clearly communicated later. Moreover, the reliance on the European Court of Justice for dispute resolution could raise concerns about sovereignty, a critical issue for many Brexit supporters.
Trustworthiness of the News
The article appears to present a balanced view but selectively emphasizes winners and losers. This selective framing could indicate an underlying agenda to promote a particular narrative about the UK-EU relationship. The trustworthiness may be compromised by the lack of detailed information regarding the financial aspects of the agreement and the potential impacts on sovereignty.
Community Support and Market Impact
The article seems to resonate more with communities that support trade relations and economic cooperation with the EU, while it may alienate those who prefer a more isolationist approach. In terms of market impact, industries related to food exports may see fluctuations based on the perceived efficacy of the new agreement. Stocks in food export companies could be positively influenced, while those in the fishing industry might face instability depending on future negotiations.
Global Power Dynamics
In the context of global power dynamics, the agreement reflects ongoing negotiations that influence UK and EU standing on the world stage. The timing aligns with broader discussions about trade relationships in a post-pandemic world, making it a relevant piece of news.
Concerning the involvement of artificial intelligence in the article's creation, it is plausible that AI tools were employed for data analysis or content generation. However, without explicit indicators, this remains speculative. If AI was involved, it may have shaped the narrative by emphasizing certain aspects while minimizing others.
Overall, while the article provides valuable insights into the UK-EU agreement, its framing and the selective emphasis on certain aspects could lead to misinterpretations or oversimplifications of a complex issue.