December 24, 2007

UK seeks to regain lost ground in meat exports

A joint programme targeting 24 countries has been drawn up by the British Pig Executive (BPEX), the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) and DEFRA in order to regain ground lost after the country's series of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.

Though almost all restrictions on trade within the EU have been lifted, the UK will not regain its all-important OIE (Office International des Epizooties) FMD-free status recognised by Third Countries until January 2008.

Negotiations are then usually required with individual countries to agree to reinstate health certificates for meat and livestock.

The meat export market is worth GBP 70 million (US$139 million) a year to UK's industry.

BPEX and EBLEX Export Manager Jean-Pierre Garnier said a concerted and ambitious Third Countries export recovery programme in key markets is being launched, with the objective to reinstate as soon as possible lost health certification in Third Countries.

The campaign gained momentum earlier this week with a meeting with agricultural attach¨¦s from 14 countries.