International Trade Secretary Liz Truss visited Mowbray Park Farm, near Ripon, to mark an annual celebration and encourage farmers to export more.
It comes as beef farmers and producers across the UK are enjoying success in new markets such as the US and Japan
The Secretary of State was joined with National Farmers Union President, Minette Batters, to encourage farmers to export
International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, visited a Yorkshire farm today (Wednesday 28 April) to encourage farmers to export as part of the annual Great British Beef Week, which is currently being celebrated across the UK.
On her visit to at Mowbray Park Farm, near Ripon, the Secretary of State met with the President of the National Farmers Union, Minette Batters, and local producer ABP Food Group to discuss how industry and government can help boost British beef and agri products around the world.
Last year, the UK exported over £382 million worth of beef across the world from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Beef farmers have enjoyed success this year in huge markets such as Japan and the USA after trade bans were recently lifted. Last year alone Japanese consumers enjoyed £5.2 million worth of British beef, and the UK-Japan trade deal ensures strong tariff reductions on British beef exports over the coming years.
UK beef producers have also reaped the benefits of new export opportunities, sending beef to the US for the first time in over 20 years, with a future trade deal offering the possibility of reducing tariffs on beef. These bans were lifted following extensive research and scientific work, as well as collaboration between DIT, Defra and industry colleagues.
Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss MP, said:
From Aberdeen Angus to Welsh Black and Hereford, our farmers across the UK are producing great British beef that is renowned worldwide for its quality and production standards, which are second to none.
Middle-class consumers in Asia and other fast-growing parts of the world crave high-quality produce, as our food and drink producers do best. I urge our brilliant beef farmers to look to the world’s most rapidly growing markets, where their produce is loved and trusted, and cash in on this enormous appetite.
It is time for a great British exporting boom to propel our recovery and future growth. Through free and fair trade, we are showing the meat of our vision for Global Britain as we help our farmers and producers take British food and drink further than ever.
Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart MP, said:
Wales is famous for its wonderful beef. UK Government’s steadfast support for farmers means that it remains quality produce with a sustainable future and a prominent place in global Britain.
NFU President, Minette Batters, said:
As we celebrate Great British Beef Week and showcase the incredible quality and sustainability of British beef, it’s important that we grow our exports around the world and find new markets. We have developed a fantastic reputation for quality and we believe this also presents an opportunity to develop our market share in existing countries.
This work with the Department for International Trade is crucial to grow the British brand and allow our farmers to fulfil their ambition to be global leaders in climate-friendly food.
We are delighted to host Trade Secretary today and join her in celebrating Great British Beef week. High quality beef produced on farms across the country is already amongst the most sustainable in the world and the opening of new export markets helps Britain continue to play a leading global role in sustainable agriculture.
Chief Executive of ABP UK, Bob Carnell, said:
The visit comes as part of the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) new strategy to boost agriculture exports into new markets. Earlier this year DIT and industry launched a new campaign, Open Doors, to encourage food producers to take advantage of opportunities in fast-growing markets like the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. By 2030, two-thirds of the world’s middle classes will be in Asia, which is creating unheralded new export opportunities for British farming.
The department also held a masterclass for producers on selling red meat overseas last week (Friday), opened by Exports Minister Graham Stuart, aimed at encouraging producers to take advantage of global trends, with global meat consumption expected to increase by 26 per cent from 2007 to 2050, largely due to growth in developing countries.
A new mentoring scheme will also be launched in the coming weeks, linking experienced exporters with those looking to sell overseas for the first time.
The Trade Secretary’s Yorkshire visit also took in gin distillery Mason of Yorkshire, in Northallerton, to toast their export success in overseas markets.
