In the financial year 2019/2020, the Department for
International Trade (DIT) has removed 175 trade barriers to
trade across 61 countries worldwide, opening new global
markets for British exporters.
British businesses can now export more freely and openly
and invest in global markets.
Barriers include unnecessary, legal, regulatory, or
administrative requirements. This includes labelling
restrictions, out-of-date regulations, and licensing
requirements.
Government analysis shows that liberalising market access
barriers could boost British exports by £75bn per year.
Minister for International Trade,
said:
This is fantastic news for British exporters. Fewer trade
barriers mean British businesses in every corner of the
country have a golden opportunity to realise their full
potential.
As we take back control of our trade policy for the first
time in almost fifty years, this shows how we can open
and expand access to markets around the world, as we back
businesses in pursuing their global ambitions.
This is even more crucial in the current economic
climate, as more trade means more jobs, helping Britain
bounce back.
Breaking down market access barriers makes it easier for
British businesses to trade and invest across the world.
As well as negotiating new free trade agreements, DIT is
taking a targeted approach to get rid of the trade barriers
that are detrimental to British exports and investment.
This will help to build closer trading relationships with
the largest and fastest growing economies in the world.
Some of the barriers lifted over the past year include:
- Lifting of beef and lamb export ban to Japan which is
worth an estimated £127 million over the first five years
of access – approximately £75 million for beef and £52
million for lamb.
- Working with the Brazilian Government to make it easier
for British fisherman to export products to Brazil,
including Salmon.
- Removing the strict labelling rules on products to the
UAE has allowed sports nutrition company, Grenade, to
export to the UK’s largest export market in the Middle
East.
- Overseas sales account for 20% of Grenade’s annual
turnover, and online sales are up by 294%, as the company
experiences its best year of e-commerce sales to date,
having already surpassed 2019 sales. Highlighting the
opportunities available to UK businesses in new markets.
Dominic Goudie, Head of International Trade, Food and Drink
Federation, said:
British exports of food and drink are frequently
constrained by market access barriers when entering
overseas markets and we depend on the support of
Government to help resolve these issues.
We welcome the Government’s continued commitment to
driving export growth by addressing longstanding issues
that restrict trade and encourage businesses to report
any trade barriers they experience via the Government’s
online service.
The recent success in addressing barriers that have
prevented sales of high-quality British beef and lamb in
Japan is great news for our producers. This will deliver
significant new opportunities to grow British sales in
Japan which is the world’s largest net importer of food
and drink.
If your business is facing a trade barrier overseas, you
can report it to us online at report a trade barrier
service. The Department for International Trade now has
over 4,000 trade experts based in the UK and across 109
different countries worldwide.
