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The Chinese market is finally opening to British pork after years of negotiations. Half a dozen UK plants have been approved following inspections and export health certificates have been agreed.
A formal announcement was made at a summit when the Chinese premier visited the UK.
BPEX has been working closely with Defra, the UKTI team at the British Embassy in Beijing and the China Britain Business Council to achieve accreditation.
China is both the biggest producer and consumer of pig meat in the world, producing 46 million tonnes a year but consuming still more.
Some of the products which will be exported have little or no value in the UK - the so-called 5th quarter – but can command a good price in China.
Depending on how the trade develops, BPEX International Manager Peter Hardwick reckons it could be worth as much as £40 million a year.
Negotiations to open the Chinese market began in 2004 but were interrupted by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2007 which was a major setback as everything was put on hold.
A formal announcement was made at a summit when the Chinese premier visited the UK.
BPEX has been working closely with Defra, the UKTI team at the British Embassy in Beijing and the China Britain Business Council to achieve accreditation.
China is both the biggest producer and consumer of pig meat in the world, producing 46 million tonnes a year but consuming still more.
Some of the products which will be exported have little or no value in the UK - the so-called 5th quarter – but can command a good price in China.
Depending on how the trade develops, BPEX International Manager Peter Hardwick reckons it could be worth as much as £40 million a year.
Negotiations to open the Chinese market began in 2004 but were interrupted by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2007 which was a major setback as everything was put on hold.
http://www.bpex.org.uk/articles/301466/China_Opens_to_British_Pork__28_June_2011.aspx
