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British beef producers set to enter Chinese market by
the end of the year
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Access worth an estimated £230m for British business in
the first five years alone
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Landmark move comes after beef exports were banned in
the 1990s
British beef could be served on Chinese dinner plates by the end
of the year, following an agreement reached today between China
and the UK.
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 today by Farming Minister
and the Chinese Ambassador
to the UK Liu Xiaoming as part of the tenth Economic and
Financial Dialogue (EFD) between the UK and China, securing
market access for UK beef exporters by the end of 2019.
International Trade Secretary said:
“Today’s step is welcome progress for our world-leading British
beef producers, who will soon be able to export their products to
one of the world’s largest economies, supporting local jobs and
bringing millions of pounds to the UK economy each year.
“This comes as a result of years of hard work across Government,
including at the Department for International Trade, and marks
the next step in realising our global trading ambitions with
unbeatable British food.
“As we leave the European Union, we will continue to break down
market access barriers to make it easier for UK businesses to
trade across the world.”
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.”
The announcement comes after China recently approved five British
pork plants to export products to China, which will build on a
market which is already worth £70 million per year. We look
forward to further approval of qualified UK pork plants by the
end of the 2019.
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-China Beef Protocol is the culmination of several years of
site inspections and engagement between UK and Chinese government
officials.
China’s ban was lifted in June last
year when market access engagement for UK
beef exports began
.
The announcement follows a successful inspection hosted last week
by Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Veterinary
Medicines Directorate, the Food Standards Agency, DAERA in
Northern Ireland, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development
Board (AHDB) and the UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP),
in conjunction with beef farmers and food business
operators. This effort was facilitated by policy
and trade teams at the Department for International Trade, both
in assisting talks with Chinese officials,
and supporting Chinese delegations visiting the UK.
AHDB’s International Market Development Director Dr Phil
Hadley said:
“Today’s announcement is fantastic news for our meat processors,
who are set to benefit massively from the opportunities this new
agreement presents.
“It comes after many years spent working tirelessly to reopen
access for our beef exports and it’s a real testament to the work
of government and other industry bodies to make this happen. We
look forward to seeing the first shipments leave the UK bound for
China in the near future.”
The UK-China Beef Protocol reflects the strength of Britain’s
relationship with China, and a mutual commitment to trade.
The UK’s food exports continue to soar, with food and drink
exports worth more than £22 billion last year. Our food and drink
businesses are 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.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Beef exports to China could be worth £230 million in the
first five years according to industry estimates.
- Following the UK-China Beef Protocol agreement being signed,
there are steps that must now be taken that will enable UK
exports of beef to China, including the registration and approval
of UK Food Business Operators by the General Administration of
Customs in China, and further administrative processes.
Completion of these steps will enable UK beef exports to China by
the end of 2019.
- British exporters will be required to complete customary
paperwork and products may be subject to food safety checks.
