MP’s campaign celebrates historic pork deal with China

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, today congratulated both the UK pork industry and Government ministers on a historic £50m trade deal with the Chinese Government to allow British pork exports to China.

Graham has been campaigning to ensure that new markets are secured for East Yorkshire and other British pork and raised the matter with David Cameron at the first Prime Minister’s Questions of 2012.

Much of the pork that will be exported is from the so-called “fifth quarter” of the pig such as offal and trotters which tends not to be consumed in the UK. The deal comes after years of talks and there are hopes that lamb and beef exports may soon follow so that UK companies can take further advantage of the world’s second-biggest economy.

Graham said:

“With many pig farmers and Cranswick’s Preston facility in my constituency, pork exports are an important part of the local economy. I’m delighted that we’ve secured this deal so that we can reverse the long-term decline in UK pork production which occurred under the last Government.”

“Earlier this year I met with the British Pork Executive (BPEX) and Cranswick Country Foods to discuss opening up foreign markets such as China, and the benefits this could bring both locally and nationally. I then met with Jim Paice MP, the Minister responsible, to urge him to do all he could to bring the agreement to fruition. I will be writing to thank and congratulate him for acting on our requests, visiting China and bringing home this deal.

“In the Budget the Chancellor highlighted the importance of increasing British exports to countries such as China, who have enormous and growing economies. Everyone will welcome the progress the Government has made. Agriculture minister Jim Paice and the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs have done a great job in securing this landmark deal. Now I will be campaigning for the Minister to go further and help the industry open up even more markets like Australia for British pork.”

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Tags: Beverley, chinese government, cranswick country foods, east yorkshire, economy, graham stuart, holderness, job, prime minister, rural affairs, yorkshire