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.
The International Meat Trade Association (IMTA), founded in 1895, is a UK-based trade association representing importers and exporters of beef, lamb, pork, and poultrymeat, with a strong focus on both chilled and frozen products from the EU and beyond.
Our 65+ trading members and over 20 associate and affiliate members—spanning customs, logistics, insurance, and cold storage—play a vital role in supporting international trade and the UK meat supply chain, collectively contributing over £4 billion in turnover and employing more than 15,000 people.
IMTA is deeply embedded in UK, EU, and global networks, maintaining close relationships with government departments, regulatory bodies, and foreign embassies to advocate for its members’ interests. We are a member of both the European Livestock and Meat Trading Union (UECBV) and the International Meat Secretariat (IMS). IMTA provides daily updates, policy monitoring, and troubleshooting support, ensuring its members stay informed and empowered in a dynamic trade environment.
IMTA provides quick and informative responses to queries, offering daily information that is accurate and covers a wide range of relevant topics. The speed of information, alongside the friendly nature of the staff, makes it a truly valuable resource.
Ellena Wright
Seafast Logistics
As a company we have been a member of IMTA for 18 years and the value we have gained from our association is immeasurable, as we navigate the bureaucracy and technical barriers to importing meat to UK from around the world. The advice and knowledge IMTA have provided has made this pathway as smooth as possible, from port health and customs entry issues to laying out details of new trade deals and quotas and liaising with UK GOV departments on industry behalf.
Nick Sherwood
JBS
As an IMTA member you are always informed on important developments impacting the meat industry, the extended knowledge and involvement from IMTA in all kinds of fields is invaluable but it is more than that. It is about building lasting connections with all stakeholders, shaping the future of the industry, and making a meaningful impact. Serving on the board has been and still is an invaluable experience for me.
Rob Haesakkers
Thermotraffic
Our membership of IMTA has been invaluable over the many years. We have gained support from individual specific questions to the larger more complex subjects through IMTA great network within UK goverment and their connectivity in the EU.
All this is being done by a team of professionals who work hard to deliver value to members.
Mark Ryder
Lamex
IMTA always respond to my questions in a practical, timely way and they have the rare ability these days to summarise complex issues in a simplified easy-to-understand answer. I thoroughly recommend them.
Terry Goddard
Towers Thompson
