China deal on pigs

The British and Chinese governments have agreed to open the way for exports of pig meat to China.

It follows a protocol signed by UK Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Digby Jones and Chinese Trade Minister Li Changjiang lifting foot-and-mouth import restrictions.

Defra's deputy chief vet Alick Simmons said: "The signing of this important protocol is a welcome boost to UK exporters.

"I hope that the UK's positive relationship with the Chinese veterinary authorities will soon lead to the UK selling pig meat to the Chinese market."

There will now be inspection visits to UK processing plants and the deal is seen as an important step towards reaching the bilateral trade target of $60bn agreed by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in January 2008.

Lord Digby Jones said yesterday that the signing of the protocol opens up a market worth £17m a year.