British sheep meat to enter Indian market

UK’s sheep meat is set to enter the Indian market after an agreement was announced that will enable British farmers and food producers to export to India.

The deal was announced following a detailed process of inspections and negotiations by the UK government, working with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP).

Last year, the UK’s sheep meat exports added £386m to country’s economy, with lamb alone reached 69 export markets.

UK International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “The opening of the Indian market to British lamb is further good news for our farmers, and is another vote of confidence in our world-leading food and drink at a time when exports from the sector are at a record high.

“This latest agreement is a welcome progression in the already fruitful UK-India relationship, and I look forward to seeing British lamb on Indian tables in the near future.”

Recently, China lifted a ban on UK beef exports, while Taiwan also opened its market to British pork for the first time. These agreements are estimated to represent over £300m in the first five years alone.

UK Food Minister George Eustice said: “The latest market access opening in India represents a significant win for the UK’s sheep meat producers.

“The announcement builds on the UK’s food and drink exporting success story, our well-established reputation for taste, quality and high animal welfare standards has seen our food and drink industry export at record levels in recent years.”