IMTA Statement on UK Food Summit

Following the UK Food Summit, IMTA is pleased to see the announcement today of five new Agricultural Attachés, who will be based in UK embassies around the world.  The UK’s growing attaché network is a powerful tool for promoting international trade.

The attaché network has already improved dialogue with some key markets for UK meat exports.  Ensuring the continuity of conversations is key to maintaining and expanding UK veterinary market access for exports.  Without veterinary market access for UK meat exports, firms cannot take advantage of tariff liberalisation negotiated in free trade agreements (FTAs).

Maintaining existing export markets and opening new ones is key for the UK meat sector and achieving “carcase balance”.  The UK does not consume all cuts, therefore needs to export the cuts less favoured in the UK and import those which are favoured to supplement domestic production. It is essential that the crucial role imports play in the UK’s food supply is recognised through providing food security and consumer choice, in the meat sector.

IMTA is a UK trade association, representing predominantly UK companies importing and exporting meat. Our goal is the facilitation of the trade in meat ensuring UK consumer choice, food security and carcass balance through import and export. IMTA provides leading trade expertise on UK trade policy including on customs, tariffs, quotas, rules of origin, WTO, trade agreements, SPS conditions and market access.