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US lifting ban on imports of British lamb, says Boris Johnson US lifting ban on imports of British lamb, says Boris Johnson
(about 1 hour later)
Boris Johnson says there's "every chance" of a UK-US trade deal – just not "right now"Boris Johnson says there's "every chance" of a UK-US trade deal – just not "right now"
The United States is lifting its ban on imports of British lamb, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced. The United States is lifting its decades-old ban on imports of British lamb, Boris Johnson has announced.
It would mean British farmers can export to the US for "the first time in decades", he added. The PM, who is in the US for talks with UN leaders and President Joe Biden, said the ban was "unjustified".
The PM, who is in the US for talks with UN leaders and President Joe Biden, rejected claims the chances of a free trade deal were receding. But he admitted the UK was now focused on making "incremental steps" on US trade access, rather than aiming for a full agreement.
But "in the meantime", he said the government was "taking practical steps to help our exports". Mr Biden appeared to play down the chances of a wider deal during a meeting with Mr Johnson on Tuesday.
The United States had banned British lamb and beef imports since 1989, since the first outbreaks of BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said the Biden administration "is not doing free trade deals around the world right now".
The ban on British beef was lifted in September last year. There is no indication yet of when the US will start accepting lamb and lamb products from the UK. But he added he had "every confidence that a great deal is there to be done".
Labour's deputy leader mocked the lack of movement, saying the PM had made "absolutely zero progress" on a trade deal during his US trip.
UK beef served up in the US after a 20-year banUK beef served up in the US after a 20-year ban
How BSE crisis shook our faith in food BBC specialists on the prospects for UK-US trade
Biden plays down chances of UK-US trade dealBiden plays down chances of UK-US trade deal
The US Department for Agriculture has been consulting on lifting the ban since 2016. There were originally hopes it would be lifted the following year. The United States has banned British lamb and beef imports since 1989, following the first outbreaks of BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease.
The ban on British beef was lifted in September last year.
There is no indication yet of when the US will start accepting lamb and lamb products from the UK, and an official announcement has not been made.
The US Department for Agriculture has been consulting on lifting the ban since 2016 - and there were originally hopes it would be lifted the following year.
At the time, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimated the change would be worth an extra £35m a year to the UK economy.At the time, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimated the change would be worth an extra £35m a year to the UK economy.
On the chances of a wider trade deal, Mr Johnson admitted the UK was now focusing on making "incremental steps" rather than a full-blown deal. Mr Johnson said the ban was "totally unjustified" and "discriminating on British farmers and British lamb".
He added that although the Biden administration "is not doing free trade deals around the world right now," he had "every confidence that a great deal is there to be done." Boris Johnson and Joe Biden held face-to-face talks in the White House on Tuesday
'Not a priority' He cited the lifting of the ban as an example of "practical steps to help our exports" the UK was taking, pending progress on wider trade talks.
Downing Street has pointed to the resolution of the Airbus-Boeing trade dispute, as well as the lowering of whisky tariffs and the decision to lift the ban on British beef.
Securing a trade deal with the United States has been a priority for many Brexit-backing politicians, following the UK's departure from the EU.Securing a trade deal with the United States has been a priority for many Brexit-backing politicians, following the UK's departure from the EU.
But on Tuesday, Mr Biden appeared to downplay the chances of an agreement soon, adding he would discuss the issue "a little bit" with Mr Johnson during his trip to the White House.But on Tuesday, Mr Biden appeared to downplay the chances of an agreement soon, adding he would discuss the issue "a little bit" with Mr Johnson during his trip to the White House.
"We're going to have to work that through," the US president added."We're going to have to work that through," the US president added.
George Eustice, the UK environment secretary, told Sky News a trade deal was "not a priority for the US administration" and the UK was "not putting timescales on it". US deal prospects
The US is already a significant UK trading partner, accounting for £1 in every £6 of British trade.
The BBC understands the government is considering whether to join an existing trade arrangement between the US, Canada and Mexico - known as the USMCA.
However, Downing Street denies this and says it focus remains on a UK-US trade deal.
If a USMCA arrangement was pursued, it would limit the UK's ability to sell services.
Economists say the overall gains from joining it could be less than 0.1% of the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - a measurement of the size of the economy.