Rep tape cut to support organic food export to Japan

Government has announced it has cut red tape to help the UK’s food producers access Asia’s fastest-growing organic markets in Japan.

Food Security Minister, Dame Angela Eagle, has announced British organic food producers will see red tape slashed and the doors opened to Asia’s second largest organic market, worth £1.4 billion and growing fast.

Coming into effect last week, the UK and Japan have formally recognised the equivalency of each other’s organic livestock standards. This will create significant market access for British exporters to meet growing consumer demand for organic products in Japan, from organic bacon and sausages to cheese and butter. This means British businesses will need only a single UK organic certification to sell their organic livestock products in both countries, cutting costs and bureaucracy and breaking down a major trade barrier. The Government says it has identified removal of this trade barrier as one of its market access priorities, with the potential to boost British export sales and generate millions in additional trade each year according to industry estimates.

Eagle commented: “From Welsh organic cheese to world-class organic British beef, our farmers and producers set the gold standard for quality. This arrangement tears down barriers and gives them access to Japanese consumers who are increasingly seeking out the very best organic products the world has to offer.”

Stuart McNally, Business Development and Sales Manager for Welsh organic dairy producer, Calon Wen, which is now looking to establish a foothold in Japan, described it as a “very welcome breakthrough”.

“This equivalency with Japan allows us to pursue opportunities previously out of reach. This includes organic business tenders worth substantial trade annually. It’s a positive step that supports our family farms and strengthens the reputation of Welsh organic dairy in premium export markets such as Japan,” he added.

In a statement, Defra explained that the UK-Japan organics market already enjoys a thriving trade partnership, where British organic produce including tea, fruit and vegetable juices, cereals, sauces, and syrups are already winning over Japanese consumers, who in return export popular staples like organic soy sauce, noodles, and green tea enjoyed by British consumers.