Welsh lamb back on American plates

11 October 2022

Welsh lamb

PGI Welsh Lamb is making its way to America after a long campaign to lift restrictions on imports of lamb from the UK.

The final legal obstacles were removed in December last year, with a plant in Wales becoming the first in the UK to achieve approval by the American authorities, leading to the first shipment being dispatched. This will be the first shipment of UK lamb to the US in over two decades.

Worth £20million

Research has shown that the trade could be worth £20m a year to Welsh farmers and processors within five years of gaining a foothold in the market.

NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman Robert Lewis said: “After being shut out of the US market for so long, reports that Welsh lamb is finally making its way from Wales over to the US is welcome news for the sector. NFU Cymru, working alongside industry partners, has spent many years lobbing the US authorities in the UK to get these restrictions lifted. Welsh sheep farmers are extremely proud of the high quality, sustainable, nutritious and delicious PGI Welsh Lamb we produce and are delighted that the first lamb to enter the US since the lifting of restrictions will be our iconic product.

Enjoying lamb from Wales

“As sheep farmers our future success depends on being able to access a wide range of markets to maximise the value of every lamb produced in Wales, therefore the re-opening of a market that research has shown could be worth £20m to the Welsh red meat sector within five years of gaining a foothold in the market is good news. 

"Now that this new market has re-opened and lamb from Wales can be enjoyed by the American consumer, it is vital that the industry, working alongside our levy body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, and with the support of government, works to ensure our PGI Welsh Lamb is marketed and promoted effectively to the US market in order that we can capitalise on this long sought-after and hard earned opportunity."

HCC Chief Executive Gwyn Howells said: “Farmers and food industry leaders across Wales will be delighted that American consumers will, from today, be able to enjoy Welsh Lamb.

“It’s appropriate that Wales is leading the way in opening up this market. HCC and Welsh Government have been knocking on the door for 15 years. Working with colleagues across the UK in recent times, we’ve been through a long and difficult process which has finally born fruit.

“Our market research suggests that there could be a strong demand for Welsh Lamb, particularly in high-end foodservice and retail outlets on the East Coast. We already have a presence in Canada, and Welsh Lamb has a strong brand reputation for quality, traceability and the highest production standards in terms of welfare and environmental sustainability.

“We look forward to making the most of these new opportunities, starting in a few weeks’ time when the profile of Wales will be raised by the FIFA World Cup – especially in the USA who play the Welsh team in a crucial match on November 21.”

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