Negotiations are underway to start exporting British beef and lamb to China – a deal which could be worth around £120million.
The UK Government and Chinese authorities have started discussions around opening up export routs for British beef and lamb suppliers to China – this follows UK and China trade talks hosted by the Prime Minister and Foreign Office earlier this week.
These are the first meat export talks in nearly 30 years; British beef and lamb were banned in China following the BSE outbreak in the 1980s.
“This landmark agreement will be a great boost to British food exporters, a major part of our long-term economic plan, and could be worth millions to our economy,” said UK environment secretary Owen Paterson.
Food and drink exports to China were worth £257million last year, and Mr Paterson traveled to China with the Prime Minister to secure an export deal for pork products worth up to £45million.
Quality Meat Scotland head of marketing Laurent Vernet said although it would be years rather than months before the market opened, China offered an “exciting opportunity” for Scotch Beef in the future.
“The products demanded by the Chinese market range from discerning consumers looking for quality cuts and valuing Scotch Beef’s provenance and PGI status to a strong and important demand for fifth quarter cuts which are not greatly sought after on our home market,” he added.
“The good news about the fifth quarter opportunity is that it gives our processors an opportunity to maximise the value from the whole carcass.”