Latest news with #foodtrade
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
The UK and the EU Announce New Deals and Renew Ties, 5 Years after Brexit
Britain's government said Monday it has struck new agreements with the European Union on boosting defense cooperation, easing food trade and border checks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the deals will slash red tape, grow the British economy and reset relations with the 27-nation trade bloc since the UK left the EU in 2020. Under the deals, a new UK-EU defense and security partnership will allow the UK to access a EU defense loan program worth 150 billion euros ($170 billion.) Other agreements include removing some checks on animal and plant products to ease food trade across borders, and a 12-year extension of an agreement allowing EU fishing vessels in UK waters.
CTV News
19-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
The U.K. and the EU announce new deals and renew ties, 5 years after Brexit
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, kisses European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as she arrives with European Council President Antonio Costa to attend a United Kingdom and European Union summit at Lancaster House, London, Monday, May 19, 2025. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP) LONDON — Britain's government said Monday it has struck new agreements with the European Union on boosting defense cooperation, easing food trade and border checks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the deals will slash red tape, grow the British economy and reset relations with the 27-nation trade bloc since the U.K. left the EU in 2020. Starmer hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other senior EU officials in London for the first formal U.K.-EU summit since Brexit. Under the deals, a new U.K.-EU defense and security partnership will allow the U.K. to access a EU defense loan program worth 150 billion euros (US$170 billion.) Other agreements include removing some checks on animal and plant products to ease food trade across borders, and a 12-year extension of an agreement allowing EU fishing vessels in U.K. waters. 'It's time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people,' Starmer said. While the EU is the U.K.'s largest trading partner, the U.K. has been hit with a 21% drop in exports since Brexit because of more onerous border checks, laborious paperwork and other barriers. Resetting relations Since becoming prime minister in July, Starmer has sought to reset relations with the EU, following years of tensions in the wake of the U.K.'s 2016 Brexit referendum. Post-Brexit relations have been governed by a trade agreement negotiated by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Starmer thinks that can be improved in a way that boosts trade and bolsters security. 'This is about making people better off, about making the country more secure, about making sure there are more jobs in the U.K.,' Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Times Radio. Stronger ties with the EU will bring 'more benefits for the United Kingdom' following trade agreements that the U.K. struck in recent weeks with India and the United States, Starmer said. Non-tariff barriers Though no tariffs are slapped on the export of goods between both sides, an array of non-tariff barriers have made trade more difficult. Post-Brexit visa restrictions have also hobbled the cross-border activities of professionals such as bankers or lawyers, as well as cultural exchanges, including touring bands and school trips. Since the Labour Party took power last year after 14 years of Conservative government, a period that was largely marked by upheavals surrounding the Brexit vote and its aftermath, both sides have sought to improve relations. That's been most evident in the more coordinated response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the wake of a change of approach by Washington following the return of U.S. President Donald Trump. But Starmer has stressed that the U.K. won't rejoin the EU's frictionless single market and customs union, nor agree to the free movement of people between the U.K. and the EU. Security, fishing and youth mobility Talks on strengthening ties have focused largely on security and defense, and on a youth mobility plan that would allow young Britons and Europeans to live and work temporarily in each other's territory. That remains a politically touchy issue in the U.K., seen by some Brexiteers as inching back toward free movement — though the U.K. already has youth mobility arrangements with countries including Australia and Canada. Another issue that has long been a sticking point in U.K.-EU relations is fishing — an economically minor but symbolically important issue for the U.K. and EU member states such as France. Disputes over the issue nearly derailed a Brexit deal back in 2020. The summit is also expected to cover aligning standards on the sale of agricultural products, which could eliminate costly checks on food products exported across the English Channel. Thomas-Symonds said he was confident that trade could be improved for food imports and exports. 'We know we've had lorries waiting for 16 hours, fresh food in the back not able to be exported, because frankly it's just going off, red tape, all the certifications that are required, we absolutely want to reduce that,' he told the BBC. Opposition objects to a 'surrender' Some of the trade-offs may prove difficult for Starmer, who faces growing challenges from the pro-Brexit and anti-immigration Reform U.K. party and will likely see accusations of 'betraying Brexit,' whatever the outcome of the talks. Reform, which recently won big in local elections, and the opposition Conservative Party have already called the deal a 'surrender' to the EU before any details were confirmed. Trump, who has backed Brexit, could also be a potential headache for Starmer. 'The reset could still be blown off course by disagreements over how to consolidate existing areas of cooperation like fisheries and/or external factors, such as a negative reaction from the U.S. to the U.K. seeking closer ties with the EU,' said Jannike Wachowiak, research associate at the U.K. in a Changing Europe think tank. Sylvia Hui, Pan Pylas And Jill Lawless, The Associated Press
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fish and chip takeaway bringing a taste of Greece to Latchford
FISHNET is a family run business in the heart of Warrington serving the best quality food to their customers. Here, in our latest Business of the Week feature, Fishnet owner Savva Mylona shares what the past seven years have been like serving fish and chips – and traditional Greek food – to the people of Warrington. If you would like your business to feature as Business or Trader of the Week, email The Fishnet team What's your full name? My name is Savva Mylona What's the name of the business? Fishnet What's the address? 124 Thelwall Lane, Latchford, WA4 1LU Are you the owner/manager? I am the owner. When did you open the business? We opened the business in July 2018. The food is cooked fresh to order Has it always been in the same location? Yes, it has always been in the same location. READ MORE: The Korean street food tempting the tastebuds of Warrington Market customers Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here? No, I'm not local to the area. I grew up in Cyprus but have been living in the UK since 1993. Tell me a bit about your business Fishnet is a family run business. We have always been in the food trade, running this kind of establishment in other areas, and saw Warrington as an opportunity to bring what we know best to the town - good quality fish and chips. Our love of food has a lot to do with it being a big part of our Cypriot/Greek culture - we love our food - so we were the first to introduce the Greek gyros to the lovely people here. They were a big hit along with top customer service in a happy friendly environment. We strive to give our customers the best with no cutting corners and we will continue to do so. We have an amazing customer base all have been so welcoming and supportive in the seven years we have been at Fishnet and we are very grateful to them for choosing us. What do you do? What services do you provide? We are an established food takeaway and have made a name for ourselves selling the best fish and chips in Warrington. We offer kebabs, Greek gyros, kids' meals and special all day offers every day. We also offer gluten free items. Why did you decide to open your own business? Why this type of business? Our family has always been in this business, which made it easy for us to follow the same path, as we know everything there is to know. Fishnet offers kebabs, Greek gyros and kids' meals READ MORE: Town centre pub perfect for weekday catch ups, lively Saturday nights and everything in between Were you open before/during/after the Covid-19 pandemic? How did this affect your business? We closed for three weeks over the Covid-19 pandemic cause of the safety of our staff who have families and of course ourselves. Re-opened as normal after. It was a struggle as we had to learn to work in a different way. Our business was ok considering as we offered deliveries which was ideal for most people at the time. What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors? The best quality food, a varied menu with something for everyone, fresh fish – cod and haddock - delivered daily even on a Saturday and there's always top customer service! Why do loyal customers return to your business? We love our customers think that the banter. The food is always cooked fresh and is consistent, which keeps our loyal customers happy - this is why they keep coming back. A fish and chip supper What's next? What do the next few months hold for you and your business? We are happy with what we offer. We are known for our food and put our stamp in Warrington as a successful takeaway. We want to keep things manageable so we can continue to give our customers the best money can buy. Watch this space!
