Pigs' trotters will soon be heading to China, following a successful inspection of UK facilities by Chinese authorities in August.

All cuts of pork, including trotters from two abattoirs in Northern Ireland have also received their first-ever export approval.

"I am delighted that we have secured the latest opportunity in what has been a long-term project involving collaboration across the industry and government," said Dr Phil Hadley, international market development director.

"This is a significant step forward in our ambitions for China and stands to have a huge impact on the whole supply chain."

The news comes after many lengthy, technical meetings and negociations led by AHDB along with Defra; FSA and the wider industry to demonstrate equivalent animal health and hygiene standards.

China is already the UK's biggest customer of pig meat outside the EU, importing 40,000t of UK pork and 36,000t of UK offal in 2016.