Soon UK producers will be able to sell their lamb to a market of over 300 million people, as more than two decades of restrictions on the export of British lamb to the US market is set to resume in 2022.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that it has amended the rule which currently prevents imports of lamb from the UK into the USA, the amended “small ruminant rule” will come into force on January 3, 2022.
The announcement is particularly exciting as it is estimated that the US lamb market will be worth £37 million in the first five years of trade.
The UK’s environment secretary, George Eustice, said: “Today’s great news follows years of negotiations, and builds on the success in securing the resumption of UK beef exports to the US. UK lamb is renowned for its high quality, food safety and welfare standards. Millions of US consumers will now be able to enjoy British lamb as early as next year.”
International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan commented: “The UK exported £436.4 million worth of lamb to the world last year and over £29 million worth of meat to the US. We want those numbers to grow, and this win will help achieve that.”
NFU president Minette Batters was also pleased to hear this news, stating: “This is exactly the sort of export opportunity we need to see the government pursuing, and is something we strongly support. This is a positive step for Britain’s lamb producers, and we would urge the government to continue opening up new markets around the world.”