Welsh exporters are set to benefit from a multimillion pound
boost as China agrees market access for UK beef by the end of
2019. The move could be worth an estimated £230 million for
British producers in the first five years alone, and comes more
than 20 years after the Chinese government imposed a ban on UK
imports of beef in 1996.
The UK-China Beef Protocol was signed by UK Farming Minister
and the Chinese Ambassador
to the UK Liu Xiaoming as part of the 10th Economic and Financial
Dialogue (EFD) between the UK and China. It is the culmination of
several years of site inspections and engagement between UK and
Chinese government officials.
Ahead of the Chinese delegation’s visit to Cardiff, Welsh
Secretary met Chinese Ambassador Liu
Xiaming and Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua to discuss the
importance of China’s decision to grant market access to Welsh
beef producers. The agreement is estimated to be worth around £25
million per year for the Welsh red meat sector.
Secretary of State for Wales said:
The opening of the Chinese market will open up exciting
opportunities for Welsh beef producers who, as a result of the
agreement, will soon have access to one of the world’s largest
economies.
This agreement demonstrates the growing confidence in our
high-quality food and drink in every corner of the world and
highlights the growing demand for Welsh beef in dynamic markets
worldwide.
As we leave the European Union, the UK Government is determined
to open access to new markets, ensuring that Welsh businesses
can continue to grow and thrive.
UK Farming Minister said:
This is a major coup for our world-class food and farming
industry, and a landmark move which could be worth £230 million
for British business in the next five years alone.
Today’s milestone reflects our ambition to maximise new trading
opportunities across the world and become a truly Global
Britain as we leave the EU.
China is currently the UK’s eighth largest export market for food
and drink, with more than £610 million worth of products bought
by Chinese consumers last year.
The UK’s food exports continue to soar, with food and drink
exports worth more than £22 billion last year and food and drink
businesses now selling their products to 217 markets.
The government continues to encourage and support businesses
through its ‘Food is
Great’ campaign as they consider launching into overseas
markets or expanding their current global customer base.
