US to lift ban on British lamb imports, PM announces

The US has agreed to lift a decades-old ban on imports of British lamb, Boris Johnson has announced.

A ban on the import of UK beef and lamb to the US had been in place since around 2000, following outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as “mad cow disease”.

The US lifted its ban on British beef last September and it will follow this by removing its ban on British lamb, the prime minister said.

See also: US to import British beef for first time in 24 years

“What we’re going to get from the United States now is a lifting of the decades-old ban, totally unjustified, discriminating against British farmers and British lamb,” Mr Johnson told the BBC.

“The people of the United States will be supplied at last, by Britain, with the kebabs, the koftas, the lamb burgers and fantastic, juicy cuts of Welsh lamb.

“It’s about time, too. And what we’re wanting to do is make solid, incremental steps in trade.”

There is no timescale, yet, over when British lamb imports to the US can restart.

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, described the announcement as “very good news” for British sheep farmers.

“We know that there is some real interest in British sheep genetics in the US and there are some real opportunities for that high-quality sheepmeat connected with our British heritage,” said Mr Stocker.

“There is not a big market for lamb in the US. But this could really help to generate more appreciation and recognition for it. We can help people to get that eating experience.”

Mark Tufnell, deputy president of the Country Land and Business Association, said: “This is a welcome move, and not before time. The UK produces world class lamb to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards, and frankly this ban should have been lifted a very long time ago.

“Perhaps, more importantly, it shows the UK government is serious about opening up new markets for our farmers and there is every reason to believe American consumers will wish to import lamb, beef and other products in ever greater quantities.”

£37m trade bonus

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB international market development director, said: “We have been working with UK government for a number of years to see our lamb back in the US – a move that AHDB estimates to be worth £37m in the first five years of trade.

“This would be a fantastic boost for the sheep sector and we look forward to seeing the detail in the coming days.”

However, Mr Johnson ruled out the prospect of the UK signing a free-trade agreement with US any time soon.

“The Biden administration is not doing free-trade deals around the world right now, but I’ve got absolutely every confidence that a great deal is there to be done,” he said.

Mr Johnson is stateside this week to hold talks with US president Joe Biden and UN leaders.