Free Trade Agreements and Rules of Origin Overview

IMTA has a wealth of expertise in the area of Free Trade Agreement (FTAs) and Rules of Origin. Over many years we have been closely involved in informing EU FTA negotiations through our membership of UECBV in Brussels. However, since the UK began to develop its independent trade policy post-Brexit, we have been even more active in this space. We have played a crucial role in advocating for two-way trade, carcase balance, continuity of trade and ensuring that members’ voices are heard in the debate around FTAs. We sit on the prestigious Trade Advisory Group, and other government-industry fora.

Since the end of the Brexit Transition Period, Rules of Origin, or RoOs as they are known, have come to the fore as a crucial issue for businesses to understand in order to continue trading between the EU and the UK and to take advantage of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. IMTA rapidly developed expertise in this notoriously complex area, in order to advise and guide members through the changes. We have hosted several briefings for members with expert guests from UK government to help members get to grips with the rules.