British beef and lamb will be sold in Japan after a 23-year trade ban is scrapped in £127m boost for UK farmers
The ban was put in place after the Mad Cow disease outbreak in 1996, but after several discussions Japanese health officials assured imports would be reestablished
BRITISH beef and lamb will be sold in Japan after a 23 year trade ban is finally scrapped.
The breakthrough, worth £127million to British farmers over the next five years, is announced as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets Theresa May in Downing Street.
The ban was put in place after the Mad Cow disease outbreak in 1996.
Health officials in Japan said after discussions and inspections imports would be able to restart.
Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox welcomed the ditching of the ban saying it would boost farmers and food producers right across the UK.
He said: “It is great news that British beef and lamb will be available on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus for the first time in more than 20 years.
“The UK and Japan are among the strongest champions of free trade and we look forward to an even closer trading relationship as we leave the European Union.”
Shinzo Abe is also expected to urge Theresa May to avoid a no-deal Brexit in talks at Downing Street tomorrow.
The country has more to fear than most from a disorderly UK withdrawal, with around 1,000 Japanese companies operating in the country, and many using it as a gateway to European markets.
Major manufacturers like Nissan, Toyota and Honda have warned a no-deal Brexit could cost their UK operations millions in additional tariffs and disrupt the “just-in-time” supply chains on which they rely, sparking concerns they might reconsider their presence in the country.
Setting off for his trip to Europe, which also takes in the Netherlands, Mr Abe said: “World attention is focused on the UK’s exit from the EU.
“Precisely because of this problem, it is very meaningful for me to visit the UK and exchange opinions. I want to properly convey Japan’s thinking.”
Japanese companies invest more than £40 billion a year in the UK and employ more than 150,000 workers here.
Trade between the UK and Japan totalled £28 billion last year, up 5 per cent on the previous year.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mrs May said: “The UK and Japan are natural partners. We face many of the same challenges. But also the same immense opportunities.
“By agreeing to forge a new, dynamic partnership, we not only back some of the most cutting-edge sectors in our economy, but will also improve people’s lives and shape the 21st century for the better.”
Agreements are also expected on increased UK involvement in defence including the deployment of Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose to Japan in early 2019, to enforce sanctions against North Korea.
As part of the deal Vincent Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers painting will be displayed in Japan for the first time alongside other artworks in 2020, set to coincide with he Olympic Games being held in Tokyo.
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