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Preparing for Brexit


The potential impact of Brexit on the red meat sector in Wales is extensive, though difficult to measure with certainty. However HCC has worked with AHDB, QMS and others to model effects on agriculture and processing, including a major report prepared by the Andersons Centre on the potential impacts of Non Tariff Measures and other scenarios.

Currently, around a third of Welsh Lamb production is exported to the EU, as well as significant amounts of beef. As a trade agreement has now been agreed between the UK and EU, it is hoped that most of these exports will be able to continueRed meat route to market project report cover.

Since the referendum in 2016, HCC has

- worked with processors to reassure European importers that Wales is still committed to supplying them

- redoubled efforts to promote Welsh produce in the domestic market as well as new markets further afield in Asia and North America, with the help of additional funding from Welsh Government. This has resulted in significant increases in exports of Welsh Lamb to the Middle East in particular.

- worked with governments and processors to remove historic restrictions on access for UK meat to some key countries. This has been successful in opening trade with Japan, for instance, although bans remain on exporting lamb to the USA and China.

The outlook for the future was discussed at HCC's virtual conference in November 2020:

Advice for businesses

The end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021 will still involve significant changes to the way Britain does business both with Northern Ireland and the EU.

Extensive information on preparation for Brexit is available from Welsh Government.

UK government has published advice on procedures for companies who are involved in exporting.

Download Resources

Guidance on Export Health Certificates: cover
Defra letter to farmers: cover
Defra letter to vets: cover
Guidance on animal movements to and from Northern Ireland: cover