US Beef Exports Show Strong Performance in June

US red meat exports ended the first half of 2016 on a positive note, as June export values for beef were the highest of the year.

June also marked the second consecutive month of solid year-over-year volume growth, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

June beef exports to Japan fared particularly well, up 29 per cent from a year ago. Strong US beef exports were also reported in Mexico, South Korea and the ASEAN region – click here to read more.

In the UK, the fallout from the country’s vote to leave the European Union continues. This week, the Treasury promised to uphold current levels of funding for farmers until 2020, even if the UK leaves the EU before then. Politicians hope the pledge will give farmers confidence and continuity over this period.

Meanwhile, a new report from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has argued that the government should use the opportunity of Brexit to change the way public money is invested in farming.

The organisation suggested diversity in the sector should be improved to help environmental resilience in the UK. It also suggested that more land should be made available for new farmers and community groups.

The report follows similar calls by the National Trust, which said domestic British farm funding should place more emphasis on protecting nature once released from the rules set by the EU – read more.