Russia and the UK have signed a red meat export deal, which finally puts to an end the 18 year long ban on British beefand lamb, imposed after the BSE crisis of the mid 1990s.
The British Government predicts that the deal could be worth £100 million to its meat industry over the next three years.
It includes an agreement for UK meat processor ABP Dorset in Yetminster to supply lamb worth £7 million to a Russian distributor.
UK Environment Secretary Owen Patterson headed the British delegation (pictured) to hold talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich.
More UK plants are expected to gain approval for export of beef and lamb to Russia in the coming months as the demand from importers rises.
The UK Department of Environment, Food and Ryral Affairs said Russia could prove to be a lucrative market for the UK, with Russian importers "keen to diversify their supply of prime lamb and quality grass-fed British beef".
