Browse Data and Analysis

On January 14, 2025, the Panamanian Food Agency (APA) and the Ministry of Health of Panama confirmed that the dairy plants registration process has been significantly expedited, resolving a trade barrier created on July 17, 2023.

On October 30, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) extended over 220 voluntary tariff suspensions announced following the 2021 and 2023 application periods, through June 30, 2026. The announcement synchronizes multiple expiration periods...

In 2024, the United Kingdom (UK) updated border control measures for the EU. These changes primarily brought EU import requirements in line with those for the rest of the world including the United States, through the application of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, U.S. export health certificates are required to either follow the Great Britain model health certificates (for destinations within England, Scotland, or Wales) or the European Union model health certificates if shipping to Northern Ireland.

The UK food and drink industry has faced multiple challenges in recent years, including COVID-19, cost-of-living, and adverse weather conditions. Wet weather in the UK has resulted in a significant decrease in harvests, particularly for crops like wheat, barley, and oilseed rape.

Changes to Panama's import requirements reflected in this report are for beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, and prior notifications of imported food. A new law establishes the inspections and food safety regulations for food products.

Panama recognizes the certificates and standards of the U.S. regulatory and sanitary inspection system, based on the United States – Panama Agreement regarding certain sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical standards affecting trade in agricultural products, of December 20, 2006, simplifying requirements for the importation of U.S. food and feed products.

On March 12, the United Kingdom (UK) government announced a public consultation on ‘Fairer Food Labeling.’ The consultation seeks feedback for two proposals on food labeling regulations: (1) on labeling pertaining to country of origin, and (2), on animal welfare labeling relating to methods of production.

The United Kingdom (UK) recently announced a number of voluntary tariff suspensions for agricultural and non-agricultural products, including around 70 new agricultural product suspensions.

On January 31, the United Kingdom published draft regulations expanding the “not for EU” label beyond Northern Ireland (NI) to apply to Great Britain (GB) - England, Scotland and Wales.

On December 12, the Secretary of State (SOS) for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Steve Barclay announced draft legislation to stop products from illegal deforestation from being sold in the United Kingdom (UK).

The United Kingdom (UK) continues to implement changes to its border control measures, following its departure from the European Union (EU).