Hong Kong lifts 16-year ban on UK bone-in beef

Boneless beef from cattle of all ages is already exported to the territory but from now on beef rib cuts and other specified bone-in products, except vertebral column cuts, from cattle less than 30 months old can now be exported as well.

Hong Kong suspended beef imports from the UK in March 1996, amid the BSE crisis.

The import of boneless beef, excluding offal from cattle less than 30 months old, resumed in June 2009.

The move follows extensive lobbying from the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) and an agreement was reached in principle at a joint meeting between it, Defra and the Hong Kong authorities in December. It has taken until now to complete administrative procedures so that trade can commence.

It is part of a staged approach agreed with the Hong Kong authorities which will in time also see the market open to 5th quarter products.

Peter Hardwick, head of trade development for EBLEX, said: “Exports are a key area for us and this announcement is the culmination of work by Defra, supported closely by EBLEX, which has resulted in an agreement to resume bone-in beef exports to Hong Kong.

“Up until now, we could only export boneless beef under 30 months there, so this is a significant step. Importantly, it also acknowledges stringent BSE control measures which the UK has in place, reassuring export markets about the quality and safety of our beef.”