The British red meat sector has said it 'looks forward' to dealing with new US President Donald Trump after his inauguration.
With Mr Trump having been inaugurated yesterday (Friday, January 20), the British red meat industry is looking forward to 'continued good progress' towards opening up the American market to lamb and beef products; a market which could be worth £20 million a year for Welsh red meat alone.
The American market has been closed to lamb from Britain for many years, but work has been ongoing for a decade to re-establish the trade by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), working alongside the Welsh and UK governments.
HCC visited the US Department of Agriculture in January 2014 in the company of Welsh Ministers, and welcomed USDA delegations to Wales last year.
'Positive progress'
“The United States Government held a consultation last year on bringing its rules on animal health in line with other countries, which is essential for red meat exports to resume,” said HCC’s Market Development Manager Rhys Llywelyn.
“This was positive progress, and something we hope to see continue under the new US Administration.”
“Recent market research has shown us that there is an excellent potential demand for high-quality PGI Welsh Lamb in the American market – particularly in retailers and foodservice clients on the east coast,” added Mr Llywelyn.
“There’s still some way to go, but HCC will continue to work with the whole of the red meat industry in Wales to be ready for when the opportunity to export to the USA arises.”
Mr Trump has named former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as his nominee for secretary of agriculture.
