The International Meat Trade Association is one of the oldest meat industry associations in the UK, being now well into its second century! Indeed its origins go back to 1895 when this country was beginning to forge new meat trading links with Australia, New Zealand and South America. This was to satisfy the demand for meat for the growing UK population. The UK’s links with these meat supplying countries provided a food lifeline during two World Wars, and IMTA members during these periods worked closely with Government on the distribution of meat supplies.

In more recent years IMTA has widened its remit in many ways. Whereas its original coverage was mainly beef and lamb, the Association now covers in some depth beef, lamb, pork and poultrymeat. Moreover, its members are not just importers, they are also exporters, international traders and wholesale distributors of meat and meat products. Because of our strong international connections we are also now attracting members based in non-UK countries.

The Association represents the membership’s interests at meetings with the UK authorities, EU Commission and other international bodies. In particular IMTA is an active member of UECBV (European Livestock and Meat Trading Union). Members are supplied with reports of all relevant meetings and are kept fully informed of trade developments affecting their businesses.

The Association has for most of its existence, provided its members with trading terms. The CIF Conditions of Sale have been operating for many years. More recently Delivered Terms, Ex-Store Terms and Export Terms have been issued. The Terms are linked with an Arbitration Service which is available to anyone who trades on IMTA Terms. Copies of the Trading Terms and Arbitration Rules in book form may be purchased from the Secretariat (£6 for members; £10 for non-members).