The government has secured access to the US market for UK beetroot growers.
In what the government has described as a “significant early victory”, the new deal will open opportunities for British farmers by increasing export opportunities and raising the profile of British beetroot in international markets.
The agriculture industry estimates this new access will be worth approximately £150,000 per year in increased exports.
It is also being seen as a springboard to grow the economy and expand UK trade relationships post-Brexit.
Farming secretary Daniel Zeichner met with his US counterpart, Tom Vilsack, at the G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Agriculture to celebrate the milestone.
“This government was elected on a mandate to support our farmers in trade deals – that is exactly what we are delivering,” said Zeichner. “This milestone marks a significant step forward for our beetroot farmers.
“But this is only the start – over the coming weeks and months I will work tirelessly to back our British farmers and get our food exports moving again.”
The news has been welcomed by the NFU as a “huge win” for horticulture growers.
“It is great news that after many years of campaigning, British beetroot growers will have access to the market in the United States for the first time,” said NFU president Tom Bradshaw. “Being able to access the US market, supplementing local production, will help to meet rising consumer demand for this healthy, nutritional crop, creating genuine growth opportunities for farmers and growers in the UK.”
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