British meat exports have seen a boost following recent talks between the UK and the Philippines that resolved trade barriers between the two country and now sees beef back on the menu after a temporary import ban.
Further trade talks held this week (17 March) in London as part of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) further cemented the UK’s partnership with the Philippines, which could pave the way for increased sales of £80 million over the next five years.
The Philippines lifted its ban on imported poultry meat from the UK in September last year, a move described as pivotal by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Prior to the barrier, the UK was the sixth-largest source of poultry imports to the Philippines. The UK exported an average of 6 thousand tons of poultry meat and products to the Philippines each year from 2018 to 2023. Last year the value exported was worth more than £300,000.
Closer cooperation
This week’s meeting saw minister for trade policy and economic security Douglas Alexander and the Philippine’s Department of Trade and Industry undersecretary Allan B. Gepty agree to establish closer cooperation on infrastructure projects, renewable energy, agriculture, and technology.
The pair also discussed the benefits of collaboration between DEFRA and the Philippines Department of Agriculture with a view to safeguarding and expanding market access for agri-food exporters.
Minister Alexander said: “The lifting of bans on UK poultry and beef exports is great news for our world-class agricultural industry which can once again sell these products to the Philippines, which has a population of 112 million.
“Today’s trade talks are an important new chapter and will deepen our trade with the Philippines, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, as we continue this Government’s mission to grow the economy.”
Continued collaboration
Alexander and Gepty also agreed to continue collaboration across issues such as animal disease detection and antimicrobial resistance, as well as new opportunities for collaboration on precision breeding and genetics.
The International Meat Trade Association (MTA) welcomed the JETCO between the UK and the Philippines and the deepening of the trading relationship between the two countries.
An MTA spokesman said: “The poultry regionalisation agreement reached with the Philippines has been vital to keeping trade flowing. The Philippines is a key market for UK meat exports, with a variety of products setting sail for Manila.
“We hope the trade partnership between our countries can continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Meanwhile, the Food and Drink Federation have called for a new strategic approach to EU trade as imports rise and exports continue to trail behind pre-COVID figures.
