NI beef now on sale in the Philippines

Date published: 14 August 2018

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the first consignment of Northern Irish beef is now on sale in the Philippines.

DARD News

The Filipino authorities announced in August 2017 that beef exports from the UK to the Philippines could recommence, alongside existing exports of pork, chicken and lamb. The first consignment of beef from NI has now cleared customs in the Philippines and has the potential to become a major trade opportunity for the local beef industry.

Welcoming the progress, DAERA pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.ukDeputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Perpetua McNamee said: “We have been working in partnership with Defra and industry to identify new markets and opportunities for our local meat sector. This process began in 2015 and it is welcoming to note that the Filipino people will now have the opportunity to sample the fine quality beef produced by our farmers.”

Dr McNamee also welcomed the announcement that the pork industry in NI will now have access to the Taiwanese market after authorities agreed to accept pork imports from the UK for the first time.

She added: “This market is of particular significance to the pork industry because it will provide opportunities for pork processors to export much of the less marketed ‘fifth quarter’ products which have a limited outlet more locally.

“Gaining access to the Philippines and Taiwanese markets is further recognition of the rigorous standards we have in place to produce our high-quality, safe and wholesome meat. We in DAERA will continue to invest much time and energy into opening new markets across the globe to expand the agri-food industry in NI.”   

Defra forecasts that additional trade to these new markets may be worth £34 million and £50 million to the UK beef and pork industries respectively over the next 5 years.

Notes to editors: 

  1. In March 2015 DAERA and Defra officials travelled to the Philippines to highlight the high standards of animal welfare, traceability, and official controls in the UK, which results in the production of a high quality meat product.
  2. Following on from this visit, officials from the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service in the Philippines conducted a UK systems audit, covering beef, lamb, pork and poultry species, in November 2016. During the UK audit, which focused heavily on official controls and production methods in Northern Ireland, both on farm and at processing level, the Filipino authorities recognized the high standards in place and announced in August 2017 that beef exports from the UK to the Philippines could recommence, alongside existing exports of pork, chicken and lamb.
  3. Estimates of additional trade to these new markets, worth £34 million and £50 million to the UK beef and pork industries respectively, over the next 5 years have been forecast.
  4. The Department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department’s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
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  6. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or via email. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.

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