February 25, 2016

UK beef producers seek access to US market

UK's beef producers are gearing up for the eventuality of gaining access to the US market.

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, they attended a key industry meeting hosted by AHDB Beef & Lamb during which they were given an overview of US beef safety controls by Dr Kenneth Petersen, senior vice president for Quality and Regulatory Affairs of the OSI Group, an American privately owned holding company of meat processors that services the retail and food service industries.

In attendance were beef processors and representatives from Defra (UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), among others.

The meeting-organised by the UK Export Certification Partnership and Defra-focused on the control of STEC E-coli, and was aimed at ensuring processors in the UK are aware of the US requirements for this organism and the necessary controls.

It followed a series of US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-style audits, organised by AHDB Beef & Lamb last year, to help processors understand the level of detailed information required to help negotiate market access and gain approval for export of beef to the US in the future.

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB Beef & Lamb head of global supply chain development, said: "While we do not currently have access to the US for ruminant meat, it is imperative to fully understand the market and its regulatory requirements. By doing the groundwork now, it will help ensure our processors are fully prepared and in the strongest possible position for any inspection visit and to hit the ground running should market access be secured."