U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair-Elect Jay thiler of Agri Beef recently joined Idaho Governor Brad Little on a state trade mission to the United Kingdom. The group focused heavily on the potential for expanding U.S. beef and pork exports to the British market, particularly as the UK seeks new trade relationships post-Brexit. Tyler noted that the UK currently imports between $2 and $3 billion worth of pork annually from the European Union, leaving significant opportunity for U.S. pork producers if market access barriers can be reduced.
While the UK’s longstanding ban on hormone use in beef production remains a primary obstacle, Theiler emphasized that several other non-tariff trade issues also need attention. “They’ve been aligned with the EU for so long… we’re not sure what exactly those requirements are going to be,” he said. Other concerns include complex phytosanitary rules, labeling requirements, and regulatory practices that still mirror EU standards—such as labeling each product in multiple languages. These factors, he explained, add unnecessary friction to trade and make it harder for U.S. meat products to reach British consumers efficiently.
Despite the challenges, Theiler expressed optimism about the demand for U.S. red meat in the UK. “It’s a different type of product than is really produced in the UK,” he said, noting that the high-quality, grain-fed beef favored in the U.S. would likely appeal to the UK’s steakhouse market. British production is largely grass-fed, leaving room for U.S. beef to fill a premium niche. Tyler concluded that if regulatory hurdles can be addressed, there is strong potential for expanding U.S. exports of both beef and pork to the UK.
