Defra’s agri-food export plans “a positive step”

The NFU has welcomed plans for a new export initiative from the government, which includes establishing a Food and Drinks Export Council and appointing agri-food representatives to unlock key markets around the world.

The initiative, announced yesterday to coincide with Back British Farming Day (15^th September), will launch later this year.

Responding to the news, NFU president Minette Batters said: “The NFU has long called for significant government investment which enables a partnership approach to international trade opportunities for British farmers.

“This is a positive step in the right direction and I welcome this new commitment to put people on the ground with the technical expertise to open up new markets. I look forward to seeing more detail on this proposal and working with government to boost our agri-food exports abroad.”

However, she added that there must be farmer representatives in the UK agri-food trade delegation, in line with countries such as Australia and New Zealand. She also called for government match-funding of industry investment in trade and export promotion.

Details announced yesterday included:

• Appointing more dedicated ‘agri-food attaches’ to act as representatives on the ground to unlock key markets across the world. This will build on teams already working in British embassies around the world
• Establishing a Food and Drink Exports Council to work collaboratively to expand the UK’s food and drink exports strategy. Defra will engage closely with Devolved Administrations and others on the design and implementation of the Export Council
• Strengthening the UK’s technical expertise as well as farmers’ and producers’ understanding of export markets to ensure that food and drink exporters are able to benefit from market opportunities.

Announcing the news, environment secretary George Eustice said: “Our farmers are the lifeblood of our nation – producing the home-grown food that makes up a critical component of our nation’s food security, and acting as stewards of our natural environment.

“We want people at home and abroad to be lining up to buy British. The support that we have announced […] will enable our farmers and producers to take advantage of new opportunities and fly the flag for UK produce around the world.”

International trade secretary Liz Truss added:“British farming is at the heart of our trade policy. Today’s new measures will build the capability of our excellent international teams and having farming experts in post across the world will help our food and drink producers seize the massive new opportunities in the biggest and fastest-growing markets in the world.

“Our food and drink is among the best in the world and an independent trading nation we’re seizing new opportunities that were previously denied to us.

“We have already secured better access to lucrative Asian markets, including for UK beef in Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines.”