£20 million Welsh Lamb USA hopes
£20 million Welsh Lamb USA hopes
Negotiations to open up exports of Welsh Lamb to the USA, which could be worth £20 million a year to producers in Wales, are underway in Washington this week.
Defra environment minister Owen Patterson is discussing the issue with officials in the US capital this week.
His visit follows a successful diplomatic mission to the USA by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales last January, which was led by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies.
HCC Market Development Manager Laura Pickup said: “We had a series of highly positive meetings with leading officials from the United States Agriculture Department and other North American meat organisations during our mission to America.
“This week’s visit by Mr Patterson will reinforce the message that we delivered earlier this year.
“The potential rewards for Wales are enormous because HCC estimate that PGI* Welsh Lamb exports to the USA could be worth £20 million a year to our farmers and processing companies.”
It is hoped that restrictions on PGI Welsh Lamb exports to the USA can be lifted as part of an EU-US trade deal which is currently being negotiated.
