July 25, 2012

UK meat exporters up pressure on the US

During the Royal Welsh Show this week, efforts on Welsh beef and lamb export to the US, along with other meat products from across the EU, are being highlighted as it cannot currently be exported to the US, although trade negotiations are under way.

Welsh red meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) is keen to see the talks resolved swiftly and restrictions lifted which would enable Welsh lamb to be sold there.

HCC chairman Dai Davies said: "Terms were negotiated last year to allow the sale of Welsh lamb in Canada. We are keen to move forward in North America and sell our produce in the USA, following the success we've achieved in Canada and other countries around the world." Daryl Brehm, the US Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs who is based at the American Embassy in Paris, visited the Royal Welsh Show at the invitation of the Farmers' Union of Wales. He was able to see cooking demonstrations at the HCC stand involving Welsh lamb and beef, and taste samples.

The USA is currently involved in a consultation exercise over importing EU beef into the country, with a similar consultation involving EU lamb also due. Davies says uncertainty over the euro was among the most important reasons to look to sell their produce outside Europe.

He said, "Market competition is the basis for the prices we receive for our beef and lamb, which has become popular and is in demand across the world.

"The value of the euro is shaky and although Europe remains essential, we should take advantage of the new markets that are opening.

"We already sell to countries such as Dubai, which is the door to the Middle East, to Canada which helps us ensure the US market hears of our produce and to Hong Kong, the gateway to China.

"Other markets we have pioneered include Sweden, Barbados and Singapore."