US trade boost for beef

Free trade with the United States could lead to millions of pounds of exports to other parts of the world, according to EBLEX, the industry body for beef and lamb producers.

EU exports to the US, with the Government anticipating that an agreement could add £10 billion annually to the UK economy.

Eliminating current trade barriers to the US could boost the UK’s agri-food sectors by roughly £285m.

The first round of talks took place in Washington DC in July, with negotiating groups setting out approaches and aims in a number of areas the TTIP is due to cover. The second round of negotiations is due to take place in Brussels in October.

Peter Hardwick, head of trade development for EBLEX, highlighted the potential wider benefits the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could bring to the beef and lamb sector at a meeting chaired by Food and Farming Minister David Heath and Cabinet Minister Kenneth Clarke.

“We have a responsibility to help drive the efficiency and profitability of the beef and lamb sector and anything that affects that is relevant to us," Mr Hardwick said.

"The EU-US TTIP is a potentially positive move for the sector and we were delighted to be invited by Ministers Heath and Clarke to discuss the opportunities that the partnership could present, ahead of the second round of negotiations.

"At the same time we need to highlight the risks of significantly reduced tariffs and increased access to the EU without full regard to the effect this might have on our own producers who operate with higher regulatory costs in areas such as animal welfare, the use of hormones, GM and environmental legislation.

“Specifically for the beef and lamb sector, the negotiations are seeking to address a number of issues, including getting as close as possible to removing technical barriers on ruminant meat.

"While there are high-value, opportunities for beef and lamb in the US market, where we estimate the potential market to be in excess of £60 million per annum, there are also wider implications of what a future agreement could bring for our trade relationships with other Third Country markets."

The UK currently has no US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved beef plants for export.

Negotiations on the EU-US TTIP will include tackling differences in regulations, standards and certification, issues central to the future export of beef and lamb to the US from the UK.

The Westminster roundtable event was organised for industry stakeholders to highlight how to maximise the potential of any future agreement.