UK pauses Brexit food label changes after business backlash

In the United Kingdom, the Labour government has decided to abandon a controversial Brexit policy that mandated food products sold across Great Britain to display 'Not for EU' labels. This decision comes after significant backlash from the food and drink industry, which argued that the labeling requirements were detrimental to consumer appeal and costly for manufacturers. Originally set to take effect on October 1, the policy was intended to apply to various food items, including meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, with further expansions planned for July of the following year. The government faced criticism for overextending the Brexit deal by applying these rules GB-wide, especially since similar labeling already exists for food sold in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework agreement with the EU. The Labour government is now expected to provide further guidance to businesses, indicating a potential reevaluation of the policy. Industry representatives had previously urged the government to either scrap the policy or implement a moratorium to allow for more deliberation. The government is also exploring a veterinary agreement with the EU, which could eliminate the need for such labels altogether. This move aligns with the Labour government's goal of fostering a closer relationship with the EU, particularly regarding sanitary and phytosanitary controls, which have been a source of friction in trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The decision to scrap the labeling requirement is likely to be welcomed by the food and drink sector, which has campaigned against the changes for months. However, there remains the possibility that the government could reintroduce the policy if market conditions warrant it, particularly concerning the flow of goods to Northern Ireland.