Article: Six in ten want it made easier for English food producers to sell to the EU, even if it means closer ties
Six in ten want it made easier for English food producers to sell to the EU, even if it means closer ties
63% of adults in England back easier access to EU markets for English producers even if it requires closer trade cooperation. 15% are against. Support is a majority in every region.
Key findings
- 63% of adults in England say the UK should make it easier for English food and drink producers to sell to EU countries, even if it requires closer trade cooperation with the EU. 15% say no and 22% aren't sure.
- Support is a majority in every region, from 68% in the South East to 57% in the North East and Yorkshire.
- Men are more supportive (66%) but also more opposed (19%). Women are more likely to be unsure (28% against 15%).
- The South West has the highest share of undecided (29%) of any region.
Every region says yes
63% of adults in England want it made easier for English producers to sell into the EU even if closer trade cooperation is the price. 15% are against and 22% are not sure.
| Region | Yes | No | Not sure |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East | 68% | 14% | 18% |
| West Midlands | 64% | 13% | 23% |
| East of England | 64% | 15% | 21% |
| North West | 64% | 13% | 22% |
| Greater London | 63% | 17% | 19% |
| East Midlands | 63% | 13% | 24% |
| South West | 58% | 13% | 29% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 57% | 16% | 27% |
| North East | 57% | 20% | 22% |
| All adults | 63% | 15% | 22% |
No region falls below 57% in favour. The South East (68%) is the most supportive, followed by the East of England, North West and West Midlands (all 64%). Opposition is highest in the North East (20%) and Greater London (17%). Among cities, Brighton (70%) is the most in favour and Plymouth the least (46%, with 37% unsure). City figures, and those for smaller regions such as the North East, are based on small subsamples and should be read as indicative. Base sizes are in the full data tables.
Who is unsure
The main alternative to support is not opposition but uncertainty. Women are almost twice as likely as men to say they are not sure (28% against 15%), while men are more likely both to support (66% against 60%) and to oppose (19% against 11%). Over-55s (26%) are more unsure than 25 to 34 year olds (15%). The South West (29%) and Yorkshire (27%) have the highest shares of undecided of any region.
Why it matters to producers
Since 2021, small food and drink producers exporting to the EU have needed export health certificates, customs declarations and border checks that many say make small orders uneconomic. At the May 2025 UK-EU summit both sides agreed to negotiate a food and drink standards (SPS) agreement that would remove most of those checks for agrifood goods. At the time of publication (October 2026) that agreement had not been signed. The Food Standards Agency told its board in September that negotiations were at an advanced stage, and government is preparing businesses for the new arrangements to take effect in 2027.
The survey suggests the public are ahead of the argument. Whatever they think of the EU, six in ten want the door open for English producers, and fewer than one in six want it kept shut.
Methodology
The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2,001 adults in England, nationally representative of those aged 18 and over. Fieldwork ran from 13 to 16 April 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and the British Polling Council and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge, and abides by the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles. Survey reference J17714CWMP. Full results for all 20 questions.
Notes for editors
Full data tables, including breakdowns by gender, age, region and nearest city, are available on request. Charts and figures may be reproduced with credit to MadeInEngland.com. Marcus Holland, founder of MadeInEngland.com, is available for interview and further comment. Contact: marcus@madeinengland.com, 07983 818291.
