The UK beef sector could gain access to a new £15million market if Japan lifts its ban on British beef exports.
That was the message from Defra farm minister George Eustice following a visit by Japanese Government officials to UK farms, laboratories and abattoirs.
The visit, which was organised in conjunction with farm levy body AHDB and its devolved counterparts including Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), is part of a bid to seek approval for the sale of UK beef to Japan.
The Japanese market has been closed to British beef since the BSE outbreak in the late 1990s, and the visit set out to show Japanese officials the high quality standards and welfare in the British beef sector.
Mr Eustice hailed the visit and said: “Opening the market to Japan could boost the industry by an estimated £15million each year, driving growth for our farmers and producers and increasing our global reputation for great taste and quality.”
AHDB’s international market development director, Phil Hadley, said reopening the market would bring huge benefit to UK beef producers.
He said: “Japan is a lucrative market for specific premium beef products and this visit has the potential to create a number of exciting opportunities for UK exporters.
“We look forward to hearing from the delegation and learning what this inspection will mean for quality UK beef exports to Japan in the years to come.”
QMS chairman Jim McLaren said: “This visit is a welcome and significant step in opening up a major non-European market for one of Scotland’s most iconic brands.
“QMS has been working hard with trade partners such as the UK Export Certificate Partnership (UKECP) to open key markets such Japan, where, without a doubt, there is considerable potential for Scotch Beef PGI – a product that offers world-leading levels of traceability, assurance and welfare standards as well as exceptional quality.”
