Boost for Shropshire farmers as Russia lifts ban on British meat
Shropshire's economy will be boosted by millions of pounds after Russia agreed to lift a controversial 16-year ban on British beef and lamb imports, a county cattle expert said today.
Farmer Dan Morris, of Premier Farm Marketing, in Pulverbatch, near Shrewsbury, and MP Daniel Kawczynski, for Shrewsbury & Atcham, played instrumental roles in the historic decision by Russia to overturn the export ban on British beef and lamb following the 1996 BSE outbreak.
The pair hosted a visit from Russian agricultural attaché Vladimir Derbenskiy and Sergey Nalobin, political liaison officer for the Russian embassy, earlier this month where they toured farms in Shropshire and promoted trade links between the two nations.
And Mr Morris, a third generation farmer, was in a UK delegation which flew to Russia in August to discuss potential cattle sales and the reversal of the trade ban.
The UK Government confirmed on Thursday that Russian officials had agreed to trade with Britain again and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has estimated the deal could be worth £100 million to the UK economy over the next three years.
Mr Morris said it would inject 'millions' into the county.
