UK beef has gained preferential access to the US for the first time, following the US reciprocal 13,000t quota for UK beef which came into force on 1 January 2026.
The arrival of the shipment coincides with the government’s first dedicated agricultural trade mission to Washington – a visit NFU President Tom Bradshaw will use to press the Secretary of State to uphold the high animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards in future negotiations.
The first-ever agri-trade mission will build on a milestone of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, where both countries agreed to implement a reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef.
The quota is a major growth opportunity for British farmers, worth up to £70 million a year if fully utilised.
“As we join the Secretary of State in the US to explore new opportunities, we will continue to press that UK agriculture cannot be used as a bargaining chip in future negotiations.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Bargaining chip
The NFU has campaigned for several years with the UK’s agricultural attachés in Washington for market access for British beef, engaging closely with the UK government to ensure British farmers receive a fair and balanced outcome within any deal and that the public is not exposed to lower standard produce.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The NFU worked closely with the government to ensure US beef imports meet our high food safety standards, while securing reciprocal access.
“The 13,000-tonne quota has opened the door for British beef to reach US consumers; without it, it would have been almost impossible to gain preferential access to the US market, with other countries like Brazil filling the remaining 2026 quota in just six days.
“In the face of the President’s decision to impose further global tariffs, we know that trade talks between the UK and US continue. As we join the Secretary of State in the US to explore new opportunities, we will continue to press that UK agriculture cannot be used as a bargaining chip in future negotiations.”
Reputation
The first agri-trade mission will seize on British food’s reputation for high quality and standards, taking the very best of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector directly to America's buyers, businesses and decision-makers.
In a market of more than 300 million people, the visit will turn international prestige into real commercial opportunity for UK farmers and food producers.
Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds said she was “proud to champion our world-leading farmers, producers and exporters on the global stage”.
“I am leading the first ever dedicated agri-food trade mission to the US to pursue opportunities to grow our trade with the largest consumer market in the world,” she added.
