NEW opportunities are on the horizon for Devon’s lamb farmers, following the announcement that the US Department for Agriculture would be allowing British lamb to be exported across the Atlantic for the first time in over two decades.

The US first banned imports of lamb in 1989 after the outbreak of mad cow disease. The restriction was temporarily scrapped but was reimposed in 1996 after the disease resurfaced. UK lamb has been banned ever since.

Forecasts estimate the US market to be worth about £37 million over the first five years of trade, opening up access for British farmers to a market of over 300 million American consumers. Defra describes the trade deal as ‘part of the government’s work to boost exports and grow our economy.’

Ian May, from the South West branch of the National Sheep Association, said: ‘This is very encouraging news. It’s another string to our bow, it may not change the world but it’s always useful for us sheep farmers to have more markets.’

Bryan Griffis, a farmer at Southcott Farm in Burrington, said: ‘£37 million in exports isn’t huge in the bigger picture. The real achievement here is putting a foot in the door of a market of over 300 million potential customers. If every American ate a fork full of lamb then they’d eat up half of the British supply in one sitting

‘Credit should be given to Defra and the AHDB, who put a great deal of time and effort into opening the market. For example, they brought a delegation of American buyers over to Britain and showed them the credentials of our sheep industry, persuading them that British Lamb was safe and delicious.

‘I think this is an example of what can be done. In a post-Brexit world we need to get out there and look for opportunities.’