United States poised to end British lamb ban

British lamb could be back in the US by next year as a deal to lift export restrictions has moved a step closer, Farming Minister George Eustice is set to announce.

The proposals by the US Department of Agriculture (Usda) to reopen the market could provide an extra £35 million for the UK economy, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The sector has been stung since an import ban on red meats in the 1990s amid fears over BSE infecting the human food chain.

The breakthrough to relax import restrictions comes after a 1,000-page dossier was submitted to the Usda earlier this year detailing the safety and quality of British beef and lamb ahead of trade talks with US Secretary of Agriculture in Washington in April.

The US proposals are still up for consultation but Mr Eustice was set to tell the National Sheep Association’s Sheep Event in Malvern, Worcestershire, yesterday: “The US decision to press ahead with proposals to lift export restrictions on British lamb is great news for our farmers, who are one step closer to gaining access to the lucrative American market, worth an estimated £35 million a year.

“Our world-leading food and drink industry is a key part of our nation’s economic success and, in addition to forging good trade deals with our European neighbours, we want to secure more export opportunities in the States as well as with our close friends in the Commonwealth and other countries around the world.”

Defra is now coordinating UK farming industry comment for the 60-day consultation and liaising with US trade associations to gain backing for proposals.

It is part of a long-running campaign to allow Britain’s farmers to start exporting sheep meat to the US’s 300m consumers.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Increasing the number of export destinations for British sheep meat is vital for our industry, ensuring there is demand for our quality product in as many markets as possible.

“It is very encouraging that the USA is interested in opening its doors.

“Lamb sales in the USA have dropped over the years, as a result of a falling domestic production base, and NSA would like to see British lamb exported and promoted to boost consumption.

“It could be a real opportunity for our sector.”

NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said: “Reopening the US beef and lamb market to UK imports would be a positive move and an important confidence-building measure for the British livestock sector.

“The US is potentially a huge and affluent market that has strong links to the UK as we share history and language.”

Farming Minister George Eustice.