Welsh red meat industry looks forward to continued progress in opening up US market after Trump Inauguration

With the new US President being inaugurated today (Friday, January 20), Wales’s red meat industry is looking forward to continued good progress towards opening up the American market to lamb and beef products; a market which could be worth £20 million a year.

The American market has been closed to lamb from Britain for many years, however work has been ongoing for a decade to re-establish the trade by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), working alongside the Welsh and UK governments.

HCC visited the US Department of Agriculture in January 2014 in the company of Welsh Ministers, and welcomed USDA delegations to Wales last year.

“The United States Government held a consultation last year on bringing its rules on animal health in line with other countries, which is essential for red meat exports to resume” said HCC’s Market Development Manager Rhys Llywelyn. “This was positive progress, and something we hope to see continue under the new US Administration.”

“Recent market research has shown us that there is an excellent potential demand for high-quality PGI Welsh Lamb in the American market – particularly in retailers and foodservice clients on the east coast,” added Rhys. “There’s still some way to go, but HCC will continue to work with the whole of the red meat industry in Wales to be ready for when the opportunity to export to the USA arises.”