China lifts ban on British beef

British beef will be back on the menu in China for the first time in more than 20 years, after it officially lifted the longstanding ban on exports from the UK.

More than two decades since the Chinese government first banned British beef after the BSE outbreak, the milestone is the culmination of several years of site inspections in the UK and negotiations between government officials.

The deal is also a major boost for British farmers and producers, and is estimated to be worth £250m in the first five years alone. It follows the prime minister’s trade mission to China earlier this year, where she agreed new measures to improve market access to the country.

China is currently the UK’s eighth largest export market for “agri-food” – the production of food through agriculture – with more than £560m worth of food and drink bought by Chinese consumers last year.