Accessing US beef and lamb markets would be major boost for British farming

Accessing the lucrative US beef and lamb markets would be hugely advantageous for British livestock farmers
Accessing the lucrative US beef and lamb markets would be hugely advantageous for British livestock farmers

British beef and lamb farmers are a step closer to a £60 million a year export boost, following further talks between the UK and the USA to negotiate a deal to access the lucrative American market.

Visiting the US as part of a worldwide initiative is a campaign with the sole purpose to champion British food and drink.

The Environment Secretary met with her American counterpart, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, in Washington to discuss next steps in securing access to the US market.

The UK submitted a 1,000 page dossier last week to the US Department of Agriculture, detailing the safety and quality of British beef and lamb.

Secretary Vilsack committed to study the paperwork rapidly ahead of agreeing a timetable for inspections of UK beef and lamb plants.

The approval of British plants would be a major breakthrough in recognising the quality and safety of European meat, allowing farmers to start exporting British beef to the United States’ 300 million consumers for the first time since restrictions on beef imports from the EU were lifted in 2014. The restrictions on lamb are expected to be lifted in early 2017.

The National Farmers' Union believes accessing the lucrative US beef and lamb markets would be hugely advantageous for British livestock farmers.

Last October NFU President Meurig Raymond was in the US pressing USDA trade officials to open up lamb and beef trade.

Following his return he urged the Secretary of State to go to Washington to resolve outstanding US concerns.

Confidence for British livestock sector

NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said: "Re-opening the US beef and lamb market to UK imports would be an important confidence building measure for the British livestock sector.

"The US is potentially a huge and affluent market that has strong links to the UK as we share history and language.

"Securing access is one thing but building the market is another. We know we have a great product and story to tell and that our grass-fed beef and lamb is up there with the best in the world.

"The NFU asks that all those interested in selling beef and lamb in the US are afforded as much help as they need from the UK Government, AHDB and producers to market the product to US consumers.

"We are currently well placed to exploit any US/EU trade deal and negotiating on our own could delay access.

"We call on the UK Government and authorities to resolve any technical issues as soon as possible and to involve the whole supply chain.

"This might involve inspections to processing facilities. Timetables need to be as short as possible. Lamb in 2017 is encouraging - let’s not let a lack of ambition or Government support hold this up or delay it.

"However, average lamb consumption per head in the US is relatively small so targeting our promotion of both UK beef and lamb will be critical identifying the right consumers and areas of the US will be important.

"Strategic planning should start now which involves talking to retailers, food service and import agents."