Red meat industry to discuss growing exports into the UK today

HOW will Brexit impact on imports of Australian beef, lamb and goat into the United Kingdom? At a hearing in Canberra today, representatives of the Australian red meat industry will have their say on growing premium meat exports into the UK market.

The Trade Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear how to increase red meat exports into the UK, overcoming current European Union barriers to this trade, for its inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relationship with the UK.

A broad cross-section of the agricultural sector will share their experience on marketing and exporting meat to the UK and European markets.

In 2016, 7,699 tonnes of mostly high quality Australian beef was exported to the UK out of Australia’s total exports of 20,841 tonnes into the EU. For Australian sheep meat 12,378 tonnes of mostly lamb was exported to the UK out of Australia’s total exports of 16,471 tonnes into the EU in 2016.

Chair of the Sub-Committee, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said: “The Committee wants to hear from producers and exporters about their role in any future negotiations for a proposed Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement and how that agreement may assist exporters with growing demand for premium cuts of Australian red meat”.

 

Public hearing details: 10:05 am - 11:15 am, Wednesday 6 September, Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra

Representatives of the Australian red meat industry

• EU and UK Red Meat Industry Taskforce
• Red Meat Advisory Council
• Australian Meat Industry Council
• Sheepmeat Council of Australia
• Australian Lot Feeders’ Association
• Goat Industry Council of Australia
• Cattle Council of Australia

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

ends