Beef rib cuts and other specified bone-in products, except vertebral column cuts, from cattle less than 30 months old can now be exported to Hong Kong. Boneless beef from cattle of all ages is already exported there. The revival has been secured by EBLEX.
Whilst the agreement was reached in principle at a joint meeting between Defra, EBLEX and the Hong Kong authorities back in December, administrative procedures have only now been completed and trade can commence. It is part of a staged approach agreed with the Hong Kong authorities which will in time also see the market open to 5th quarter products.
Peter Hardwick, head of trade development for EBLEX, said: “Exports are a key area for us and this announcement is the culmination of work by Defra, supported closely by EBLEX, which has resulted in an agreement to resume bone-in beef exports to Hong Kong.
“Up until now, we could only export boneless beef under 30 months there, so this is a significant step. Importantly, it also acknowledges stringent BSE control measures which the UK has in place, reassuring export markets about the quality and safety of our beef.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
