Lamb from Wales being shipped to USA for first time in over 25 years

Lamb from Wales has been shipped to the USA for the first time in more than 25 years.

Welsh Government, alongside Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, have “worked hard to see Welsh Lamb once again gain access to the USA”

The United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) agreed to open the market for British lamb last year, and following the necessary inspections, the first consignment was flown to the USA containing lamb produced by meat processors Dunbia from its site in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Wales produces some of the very best lamb in the world, and it is great news people in the US will now be able enjoy it.

“This is a real boost for the industry. Securing access to the US market has been a long running effort, with Welsh Government and Hybu Cig Cymru having raised this issue with American authorities over a decade ago. I want to thank everybody who has worked hard to get to this point.”

Some industry estimates the US-market will be worth £37 million in the first five years of trade, opening up access for British farmers to a market of over 300 million American consumers to enjoy the United Kingdom’s world-renowned lamb, part of the government’s work to “boost exports and grow our economy”.

They added, “The deal agreed last year comes alongside the wider efforts across government to drive growth and open up new opportunities for the British food and farming sector, in turn boosting jobs, skills and productivity across the country. This includes capitalising on new trade freedoms outside the EU through export opportunities, ensuring that premium products are not just enjoyed at home but championed around the world.”

NFU President Minette Batters said:

“It is great news that British farmers producing top quality, sustainable, high-welfare lamb once again have access to the US market, something we’ve been working hard to achieve for over two decades. Expanding into markets such as these will be crucial to maintain the profitability of farm businesses.”

“Earlier this year I set out our ambition to grow our agri-foods exports by 30% by 2030 and become the number one supplier of choice both at home and abroad. It’s vital we seize opportunities such as these so British food producers can export more Great British food overseas in the years ahead.”

Commenting on the news that Welsh lamb has been exported to the US for the first time in 20 years, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “While we will of course always welcome more export opportunities for our fantastic Welsh produce, Liz Truss and the Conservatives are trying to plaster over the cracks regarding the damage they have already done to the Welsh farming sector.

“That is that they sold out Welsh farmers for cheap trade deals with Australia and New Zealand for nothing in return. This was spearheaded by Liz Truss despite Australian commentators even being in disbelief about how lopsided the deals were.

“Tariff free access by New Zealand in particular poses a direct threat to the survival of the Welsh lamb industry and the communities it supports, including Welsh language communities.

“If Liz Truss was supportive of such poor trade deals already, it does beg the question how much more damage she could do to the sector as the UK seeks revised trading arrangements with the likes of the US, Argentina and Brazil.

“This is of course on top of extra red tape and costs already burdened on our farmers as a result of the Conservatives flawed Brexit deal.

“The Conservatives must stop taking rural communities and farmers for granted and fix the flaws in their agricultural and rural policies and ensure future trade deals don’t sell our farmers down the river yet again.”