The UK will receive 54% of the EU’s New Zealand and Australian lamb imports when it leaves the EU, according to AHDB figures. This comes after the UK and the EU proposed that Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) be divided according to the average UK share over the last three years.

According to AHDB’s calculations, the UK could expect to receive 54% of the total available sheepmeat quota. The UK would receive 154,000t of sheepmeat out of a total of 285,000t.

On the beef side, the UK is a much smaller importer from outside the EU. AHDB estimates that the UK could expect to take 12% of the current quotas available for fresh and frozen beef. This would see the UK taking 32,000t out of a total EU quota of 265,000t.

The UK and EU proposals to divide TRQs in this was has already seen objections from New Zealand and the US.

They are claiming that the plans would cause them a disadvantage as it reduces flexibility of trade. This is likely to lead to modifications to the proposal before the World Trade Organisation approves a deal.