Exports boost for UK lamb and beef sector

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson confirmed he had finalised a deal with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovivh this week.

Mr Paterson was in Moscow, leading a UK delegation of food and drink companies to promote the credentials of British food with the aim of opening up more trade.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the UK has increased food and drink exports to Russia by just over 220 per cent since 2000, to more than £121m.

On a blog about the trip to Russia, Mr Paterson said the deal to resume UK beef and lamb exports with the country was good news.

“The deal includes a £7m contract for lamb meat and opens the door to a further £2m contract for beef offal,” he said.

“Overall, we expect it to be worth up to £100m over the next three years.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important this deal is to the future prosperity of our food industry and the economy as a whole. It’s a real credit to our producers and vets who have all worked so hard to make this happen.

“Russia opening its gates to UK beef and lamb sends out a clear message to the rest of the world that if you buy British, you’re buying quality.”

The deal was welcomed by Jean-Pierre Garnier the Export Manager of Eblex, the beef and sheep division of the UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which works on behalf of British red meat producers.

Mr Garnier said: “We’re extremely pleased that this opportunity has opened up thanks to the close collaboration with Defra.

“It’s still early days in this new market and competition is high, but I’m keen that our industry grasps this opportunity with both hands.”