Policy Overviews

Imports play a vital role for UK food security by complementing robust domestic production in specific areas and when market dynamics change. As a densely-populated island nation where land is at a premium, two-way trade supporting a strong domestic sector is the most sustainable and efficient way to meet UK meat demand – particularly as UK consumers favour certain cuts like chicken breast or steak. This is called ‘carcass balance’ – see more about this here.

Imports provide other benefits such as:

1. Smoothing out Volatility – Imports play a crucial balancing role during periods of volatility – allowing UK businesses to pivot suppliers to navigate outbreaks of animal disease or other supply shortages. This keeps consumers better insulated from shortages and sharp price increases.
2. Seasonality – Imports allow us to enjoy products year-round, complementing domestic production during leaner seasons. For example, the UK’s lamb production peaks in Autumn, while New Zealand’s peaks in Spring, just in time for Easter.
3. Consumer Choice – Imports offer UK consumers opportunities to sample meat from around the world – from Italian mortadella to Spanish Jamón Ibérico and Japanese Kobe beef.
4. Manufacturing inputs – imports complement domestically available supplies to allow manufacturers to offer a wider range of products and to keep their factories supplied and products on UK shelves.

For a detailed breakdown on what the UK imports and why we need imports to support UK food security, please refer to our ‘Crucial Role of Meat Imports’ publication.

Meat importers shoulder the risk of the supply chain between the supplier and the customer – navigating the complexities of logistics, financing and borders, and ensuring UK customer product specifications are met. See more about the vital role they play in our ‘Role of a Trader’ publication.

The conditions permitting the export of animals and animal based products to non-EU countries are set by the importing countries’ animal and food health authorities. IMTA provides information to members on getting UK plants approved for export to markets around the world.

Products need to be accompanied by Export Health Certificates that attest to the fulfilment of those conditions which are often based on agreed international norms.

See here the available export health certificates. 

For guidance on international trade regulations as regards products of animal origin click here.

IMTA is actively involved in two committees working with DEFRA to identify priority countries that government should enter in negotiations with for both red meat and poultrymeat. IMTA also provides members with updates on market access work. 

IMTA strongly supports the transition to more sustainable supply chains. We support our members on sustainability topics such as packaging, deforestation and emissions - creating resources and organising webinars to ensure members are as prepared as possible in this quickly evolving landscape. 

IMTA seeks to ensure that policies in this space are evidence-based, collaborative, and grounded in a full understanding of the realities of supply chains. Two-way trade is itself sustainable by achieving carcass balance - ensuring consumer demand can be met in the most efficient way possible. Sustainability policies which create a fragmented regulatory environment and hamper trade could therefore be counterproductive and detrimental to sustainability efforts. Instead we advocate for international collaboration on sustainability policies.

In the fast-moving sector of international trade, information is key.

IMTA provides up to date market intelligence to members from reliable and robust sources such as the EU dashboards, the Food and Agricultural Organisation and agricultural levy boards, to name just a few. These cover production, trade, quotas, shipping, and consumption among others.

Members can also request ad hoc statistics or analysis which IMTA will endeavour to provide. Alternatively, members can use IMTA's video tutorials page which demonstrate how to extract data from HMRC and Eurostat.

Members can come to IMTA with technical queries and we will seek to assist, either by providing the answer or using our extensive network to find someone who can assist.

IMTA is involved in various technical forums including FSA Partnership Working Groups. IMTA also monitors FSA Board Meetings and closely follows the publication of new guidance, consultations, and regulatory changes affecting the sector. 

IMTA can arrange ad-hoc working groups of members on relevant technical topics, or arrange for officials to present to members. Officials often attend IMTA Breakfast Briefings to present on technical issues. 

Companies engaged in international trade will come in to contact with customs where there are customs borders. Since EU Exit this includes imports into Great Britain from the EU and exports to the EU.

IMTA is a member of the UK Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC) which meets regularly to discuss customs policy and issues. 

IMTA is involved in the JCCC transition sub-group and ad hoc working groups as UK customs policy develops independently of the EU. IMTA provides members with updates on this project. IMTA feeds in questions and member views via these fora.

IMTA has a wealth of expertise in the area of Free Trade Agreement (FTAs) and Rules of Origin. Over many years we have been closely involved in informing EU FTA negotiations through our membership of UECBV in Brussels. However, since the UK began to develop its independent trade policy post-Brexit, we have been even more active in this space. We have played a crucial role in advocating for two-way trade, carcase balance, continuity of trade and ensuring that members’ voices are heard in the debate around FTAs. We sit on the prestigious Trade Advisory Group, and other government-industry fora.

Since the end of the Brexit Transition Period, Rules of Origin, or RoOs as they are known, have come to the fore as a crucial issue for businesses to understand in order to continue trading between the EU and the UK and to take advantage of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. IMTA rapidly developed expertise in this notoriously complex area, in order to advise and guide members through the changes. We have hosted several briefings for members with expert guests from UK government to help members get to grips with the rules.