Export Initiatives for UK Meat and Livestock
UK - The UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP) concept was initiated at the 2008 Royal Show and became operational in late 2008. An update was given to the UK’s livestock and meat sectors a year on, at this year’s Royal Show held in early July.UKECP grew out of the strong and trusting relationship that had developed between Defra’s Global Animal Health division and the livestock and meat sector through the Export Certification User Group (ECUG), established in 2002, says the British Livestock Genetics Consortium.
UKECP is a formalised Defra/industry working group that:
- Liaises with the UK livestock and livestock products industries to establish export market priorities;
- Provides a forum to discuss the use of Defra agents to negotiate export health certificates on behalf of the UK; and
- Assists in the drafting of export health certificates which are generally required before exports can take place
UKECP Overseas Visits
Using the funds provided by Defra as part of the UKECP Partnership, visits have been made this year by Defra staff, including Andrew Taylor (Chairman & Veterinary Director of ECL, who is accredited by Defra to act as an Agent for them), to eleven countries to negotiate new export certificates and further visits are planned for later this year and next year, the priorities for which are driven by industry’s needs.
A non-profit making company, Export Certification Limited (ECL), has been established to administer industry’s involvement, with Directors drawn from across the sector.
TheCattleSite News Desk