A new country-specific, guaranteed quota of 13,000t earmarked for beef from the UK has officially come into force in the US.
Details of the new quota arrangement was outlined in the US Federal Register late last month and came into effect on January 1.
The new quota is just one of the terms agreed last May as part of the US and UK and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal.
Under the terms of this deal the UK agreed to remove a 20% tariff that had been in place on US beef imports and created a preferential duty-free quota of 13,000t for hormone-free US beef.
In return, the US then re-allocated to the UK 13,000t of its existing “other countries” tariff rate quota for beef.
In addition to these arrangements the UK also agreed a “preferential duty-free” tariff rate quota of 1.4 billion litres for US ethanol.
Quota
The US has said that the new quota arrangement with the UK creates a “$5 billion opportunity for new exports for US farmers, ranchers, and producers”.
Meanwhile, the UK government has vowed that “there will be no weakening of UK food standards on imports”.
However the president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that despite the “prosperity” deal, the US is still seeking greater access to the UK market for agricultural exports.
Tom Bradshaw said: “We have been clear that British agriculture has nothing left to give.
“So far, our government has stood firm, safeguarding our most sensitive farming sectors and upholding our high animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards.
“With the recently published Animal Health and Welfare Strategy looking to implement ever higher domestic standards, it would be irresponsible if the government does not take agriculture off the negotiating table.”
