The ten-year-long export ban on British beef has been lifted today (3 May) in what the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has described as a ‘red letter day’ for the UK’s beef industry.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Before the beef ban was introduced in response to the 1996 BSE crisis the trade was worth in excess of GBP600m (US$1.1bn) and, the industry hopes, it won’t be long before European consumers are dining on beef from the UK once more.


“The lifting of the British beef ban is fantastic news for farmers and the UK economy. What this means is we can now take full advantage of the huge investment the British beef industry has made in quality assurance and which gives our beef a real edge over the competition,” NFU president Peter Kendall said.


“For the first time in ten years beef farmers are free to trade on a market outside the UK. I would urge consumers to continue their support of British beef to re-establish its place as the best in the world.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now