United Kingdom-Weaker pound helps meat exports.

UNITED KINGDOM.

WEAK POUND HELPS EXPORTS.

The value of UK beef and lamb exports increased by 30% in the first half of 2008, compared with the same period last year.

Lamb exports totaled US$230 million in the first 6 months of 2008 , the highest since 2001 before the foot-and-mouth-disease.

Beef exports were 46,000 tons in the first 8 months of 2008, which is an increase of 35% on 2007.

The weak pound against the euro in the early part of 2009, has made meat exports quite competitive again.

The beef exports are 75% cull cows, which have now started to increase in numbers again.

The lamb trade to France, has been helped by the declining flocks in Ireland and France and less New Zealand lambs on the market.