The first consignment of Northern Irish beef is now on sale in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced.
In August 2017, it was stated by the Filipino authorities that beef exports from the UK to the Philippines could begin, alongside existing exports of pork, chicken and lamb.
The first consignment of beef from Northern Ireland has now cleared customs in the Philippines and is said to have the potential to become a major trade opportunity for the local beef industry.
Welcoming the progress, DAERA deputy chief veterinary officer, Dr. Perpetua McNamee, said: “We have been working in partnership with Defra and industry to identify new markets and opportunities for our local meat sector.
“This process began in 2015 and it is welcoming to note that the Filipino people will now have the opportunity to sample the fine quality beef produced by our farmers.”
Dr. McNamee also welcomed the announcement that the pork industry in Northen Ireland will now have access to the Taiwanese market after authorities agreed to accept pork imports from the UK for the first time
She added: “This market is of particular significance to the pork industry because it will provide opportunities for pork processors to export much of the less marketed ‘fifth quarter’ products which have a limited outlet more locally.
“Gaining access to the Philippines and Taiwanese markets is further recognition of the rigorous standards we have in place to produce our high-quality, safe and wholesome meat.
Livestock & Meat Commission(LMC) chief executive, Ian Stevenson has said this is a project that LMC, along with other UK levy bodies, have been working on for quite some time.
Stevenson adds: "In November 2016, LMC co-funded an official visit to the UK by the Philippines National Meat Inspection Service and Bureau of Animal Industry to progress the export of UK beef, so after all the hard work and investment by industry and government, this recent development is extremely positive.
“In terms of pork, lamb and poultry, the UK already had permission to export to the Philippines, however in 1996 the market closed to beef imports as a result of the BSE crisis. Beef exports to the Philippines are already a significant trade for some of the UK’s European competitors and the Northern Ireland industry is therefore keen to benefit commercially.
“Through its membership of the UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP), LMC will continue to play a strategic role in helping to secure new export opportunities for the local red meat industry going forward.”
Defra forecasts that additional trade to these new markets may be worth £34 million and £50 million to the UK beef and pork industries respectively over the next five years.
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.
