EU preparing to offer key concession to UK in new post-Brexit agricultural deal

Brussels is preparing to offer Keir Starmer a key concession in talks over an agricultural deal, giving the beleaguered prime minister an important victory in his efforts to move closer to the EU. European officials have conceded that the UK can keep its ban on live animal exports as part of any joint deal on food and agricultural products, according to sources on both sides of the talks, even though the EU has not imposed such a ban. The carve-out will be a significant fillip for Starmer’s efforts to negotiate closer EU ties in a series of areas including emissions trading and youth mobility. The prime minister listed his prospective EU deal on Monday as one of three examples of his government’s progress, as he fights for his political career in the face of growing calls from his own MPs for him to quit. One British official said of the agricultural deal: “We’re confident on this and don’t think it’s going to be an issue but of course negotiations are ongoing.” Neither the Cabinet Office nor the European Commission, which are leading the negotiations, would comment while talks were still ongoing. But one Brussels source pointed out that, according to a framework agreement signed by both parties last May, the UK can be exempted from EU regulations if the UK rules are stricter than the EU’s. European officials say because the ban would only apply to UK farmers, it would not negatively affect farmers in the EU. …