IMTA Statement on the UK-NZ Free Trade Agreement

The timing of the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and New Zealand is rather serendipitous. In this month 140 years ago New Zealand sent its first successful shipment of frozen meat to Britain. This new FTA will only serve to strengthen the enduring and historic trade in meat between our two countries. Technological advancements have been such that beef and sheepmeat from New Zealand can even be shipped chilled as well as frozen, despite the product still coming largely on ships.  

New Zealand has been a long-standing supplier of meat to the UK. With Easter approaching, many will be looking forward to enjoying lamb. New Zealand with its opposite season plays a key role in ensuring lamb is available on shelves in the UK year-round and that demand can be met at periods such as Easter when there is a seasonal boost to consumption.

As an advocate of two-way trade, IMTA welcomes the agreement and the additional duty free access it will mean for beef and sheepmeat imported from New Zealand. While the UK’s existing quota for duty free imports of sheepmeat from New Zealand is typically significantly underfilled, including when the UK was a member of the EU, beef access from New Zealand has been quite limited by its small existing quota. UK consumers will now have the opportunity to see more of what New Zealand has to offer on the beef side. This deal will increase consumer choice in the UK.

As well as the consumer choice element, being able to import from a range of suppliers means a boost to the UK’s food security as the UK is not self-sufficient in the cuts of meat UK consumers show a preference for. Two-way trade in meat is crucial as it helps to balance the carcase, allowing us to import more of the cuts we favour, while exporting those, such as offal, which are more highly valued elsewhere. This new FTA with New Zealand is one part of a broader picture.

On the occasion of signature Katrina Walsh, IMTA Policy Director, commented:

“This is a key moment in the UK’s trade relationship with New Zealand. It has been a key supplier of meat to the UK market for exactly 140 years. UK consumers highly value the quality and characteristics of New Zealand lamb and it has been a key fixture in many people’s Easter menu alongside British lamb. The additional duty-free access for New Zealand beef will allow more UK consumers to sample what New Zealand has to offer. This deal is to be welcomed as a crucial step in the UK’s journey as an independent trading nation. We look forward to learning more about when the deal might enter into force.”