A delegation of West Australian sheep and cattle producers is on a mission to the UK, meeting with market buyers and hoping to unlock new trade opportunities for the state.
Joined by agriculture and food minister Jackie Jarvis on the seven day mission, the delegation will visit Smithfield Market, one of the largest wholesale meat markets in Europe; meet with the UK's minister of state for food, farming and fisheries Mark Spencer; and stakeholders from the UK's biggest supermarkets.
Jarvis said that as a result of the red meat mission, more chilled sheep and beef meat could appear on international supermarket shelves or be served for Sunday roast at pubs across the UK.
“Western Australia is renowned for its mining exports, but our state is also an agricultural powerhouse; we produce some of the finest quality meat in the world. This red meat mission will provide some of our local meat companies with the chance to connect face-to-face with international buyers,” said Jarvis.
Fletcher International Exports, V & V Walsh and Pardoo Wagyu, for example, are looking to leverage the favourable provisions within the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement to establish or enhance their presence in the UK market.
The delegation will also have the opportunity to meet with local experts to further understand overseas supply chains and market entry requirements.
Jarvis is also set to meet with the British Meat Processors Association, the International Meat Traders Association and Meat and Livestock Australia.
In London, the delegation will attend the International Food & Drink event (IFE), which will serve as a hub for more than 27,000 buyers for the UK's entire food, drink, and hospitality supply chain - including stakeholders from Tesco, Marks & Spencer and British Airways.
