British meat firms set for £25m boost in Saudi market deal

The Government has announced a revitalised market agreement with Saudi Arabia that could be worth £25m over the next five years.

The deal was secured in partnership with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP), lifting a 20-year ban on British lamb exports.

Sheep farmers and meat producers in Britain will now be able to take advantage of the increasing demand for their produce in Saudi Arabia, where total UK exports hit £152m last year.

The ban was put in place following the ‘mad cow disease’ or BSE crisis.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, George Eustice MP, said: “This is a significant development for our British lamb farmers and meat producers, with the potential to boost jobs and bring millions of pounds into an industry which guarantees quality from farm to fork.

“As the global appetite for the UK’s delicious food and drink products grows, we are supporting more of our farmers, fishermen and producers to take advantage of the world of opportunity that export markets have to offer.”

Phil Hadley, international market development director at the AHDB, commented: “This is great news for the sheep industry and for lamb processors and producers in the UK who are keen to look at new, non-EU markets.

“The announcement is the result of ongoing and detailed work between all parties and is a testament to the high regard and quality of UK lamb.”

In January, the Prime Minister announced that the Chinese government will progress lifting the BSE ban on UK beef exports to China.