AHDB, the English levy funded beef and lamb board, held a one day meat exports conference today to update its stakeholders on progress being made in developing new export markets and updating on promotional activity in existing markets.

Unsurprisingly last week’s Brexit vote hung over proceedings though the immediate impact of sterling weakening gives a boost to UK meat exporters into either Euro or Dollar currency markets.

Like just about everywhere else in the UK at present there is great concern about what direction the industry will take in the years ahead. There were constant reminders of the EU link with references to what will happen PGI’s on West Country Beef and Lamb plus what about joint collaborative lamb promotion campaigns with the French and the Irish.

Big ticket issues

The event concentrated on updating on the big ticket issues like opening of new markets plus lengthy sessions explaining the activities currently undertaken to promote British Beef and lamb in export markets (though “British” is no longer referred to as national references aren’t permitted by the EU). The focus in is like Ireland on quality schemes and systems.

Many of the difficulties experienced by Irish exporters are also applicable to the British trade. In fact with the prolonged strength of sterling plus the fact that UK beef prices have been the highest in Europe for several years, has meant developing export markets on the continent has been difficult.

Outside Europe

Outside Europe the focus has been on opening export markets and unsurprisingly they have been tracking the same targets as Ireland. They are still working on Japan and the Philippines with a visit from the latter due later this year. Ireland already have approval here as well as partial approval in the US. The UK has taken a different approach with the US in seeking full approval for beef including manufacturing and lamb in their application, unlike Ireland. Again inspection visits are expected soon and it was announced today that a laboratory has been approved to undertake E-coli testing. With China progress is ongoing in what was described as age of Chinese British relations. An inspection visit similar to what Ireland had in January is expected this autumn. In the Hong Kong market where Ireland is also approved, there has been a relaxation on the thirty month age requirement plus acceptance of manufacturing beef.

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