UK secures £34M beef export deal with Philippines

The deal, announced by food minister George Eustice, will add to the UK’s £350M global export market for beef. It will join pork, poultry, lamb and dairy on the list of UK food and drink exported to the Philippines.

Market access for UK beef was withdrawn in 1996 due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) concerns – commonly known as mad cow disease. The ban was lifted in 2001.

Eustice said: “Securing market access for our world-class beef to the Philippines is a huge vote of confidence for a sector that already exports more than £350M around the world, including Hong Kong and Canada.​

‘Strong demand globally’​

“The UK beef industry is the envy of the world and this strong demand globally for our traditional breeds reared to the highest welfare standards is what drives our exports and creates opportunities for our farmers.”​

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Afairs and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) worked with a number of agencies around the UK to secure the deal.

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB’s international market development director, said: “We are delighted the Philippines has approved UK beef exports, a market we already export pork to. The decision indicates future expansion for UK agriculture and our growing export markets globally.”​

‘Wider markets opening’​

“This decision enhances an exciting 12 months for UK red meat exports, with wider markets opening in Hong Kong last July and a Japanese government delegation investigating beef production controls just last month. All-in-all, it paints a very positive picture for UK exports for the future.”​

The Philippines is the largest food and drink market in south east Asia, claimed the AHDB, with meat consumption expected to grow by ten per cent over the next five years.

Meanwhile, William Reed titles Food Manufacture, British Baker​ and Meat Trades Journal​ are staging a one-day conference, designed to help manufacturers bust exports, in Warwickshire on October 5. See box below for more information.