BEEF production controls in the UK have been inspected by a government delegation from Japan, which may lead to it reopening its market to UK exports.

More than 20 years after the UK's BSE outbreak led to import bans in many third countries, the five officials representing Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and its Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, toured farms, laboratories and abattoirs to learn about the food hygiene controls now in place, on a visit organised by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and Defra, working alongside APHA, FSA, UKECP and the devolved levy boards and governments.

AHDB’s international market development director Phil Hadley said: “We are thrilled to have welcomed this delegation from Japan. It represents another important step for UK beef on the global stage.

"Japan is a lucrative market for specific premium beef products and this visit has the potential to create a number of exciting opportunities for UK exporters. We look forward to hearing from the delegation and learning what this inspection will mean for quality UK beef exports to Japan in the years to come.”

Farming minister George Eustice added: “The UK’s beef sector is a global success story – worth more than £2.8 billion in production with exports going to 84 countries around the world. Opening the market to Japan could boost the industry by an estimated £15 million each year, driving growth for our farmers and producers and increasing our global reputation for great taste and quality.”