IMTA Statement on the UK-US Trade Deal

IMTA welcomes yesterday’s announcement of a trade deal between the UK and US which sees reciprocal tariff rate quota access in both directions without any changes to UK food standards. 

The US has for many years exported high quality, hormone free beef to the UK. We are excited that UK beef exporters will have access to 13,000t of dedicated quota to the US market where it has to date been constrained by only having access to a quota shared with other countries.  

UK and US consumers will each have more opportunity to sample the best beef that each country produces. The is mirrored for US beef quota access to the UK market.  

When the UK left the EU, the US access to the UK market was diminished because the UK lost access to the high-quality ‘481’ beef quota. This beef had developed an important niche in supply for high-end restaurants. After EU Exit the US only had 1000t of Hilton beef shared with Canada for access at 20% duty to the UK market so this mirrored quota access is welcomed for both imports and exports.  

We look forward to seeing more details and further dialogue between the trading partners.