Food Minister George Eustice has announced a new export deal with China that is expected to bring a £200 million boost to the UK food industry and support 1,500 jobs.
As demand for UK food and drink is growing in China, with the total value of exports having risen by a third to £438 million in 2016, seven new businesses in England and Northern Ireland have secured access to export pork.
Three of those producers have agreed to export pig trotters, in a first for the UK.
The new agreements include approval to export from five sites in Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, County Antrim and County Tyrone, with trade expected to begin once the administrative processes at both the Chinese and UK ends have been completed.
Defra and AHDB worked in close collaboration with Export Certification Limited, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, DAERA in Northern Ireland, the Food Standards Agency, Scottish and Welsh Government and the other UK levy boards to secure the deal, which was awarded when inspectors saw first-hand the UK's animal welfare and food safety standards.
According to Defra, exports are expected to start within two to four weeks.
Eustice commented: “China is a hugely important market for our world-class food industry and by opening up access even further, more UK businesses can take advantage of the growing appetite for our food and drink.
“British food is produced to the very best standards of welfare, quality and safety and this growth in exports to China is creating more jobs and opportunities for our premium pork producers who can guarantee quality from farm to fork.”
The announcement follows ongoing work by Government officials and ministers in the UK and China, and was welcomed in Northern Ireland, where the devolved administration has been working alongside Defra and the local pork industry.
Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer, Robert Huey, thanked Defra for securing access and added: “This follows concerted effort by Defra supported by the government and industry in Northern Ireland. By recommending approval, the Chinese authorities have recognised the rigorous standards Northern Ireland has in place to produce our high-quality, safe and wholesome pork.
“We place a clear emphasis on traceability at the heart of our production and processing and recognise that a joined up, safe and efficient food supply is essential.”
Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB’s international market development director, also commented: “We are absolutely delighted this new deal has been agreed with China, which will support jobs and create opportunities for UK pork producers for years to come.
“This agreement with China comes hot on the heels of this week’s announcement that a £34 million deal has been agreed to export UK beef to the Philippines. It is great to hear so much positive news around exports of UK meat and is a testament to the hard work being done to promote the UK food industry on a global stage.”
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.
