Russia has agreed to ease a 16-year ban on the imports of beef and lamb from the UK. This move which is expected to contribute £80m to the UK food and farming industry over the next three years.
The UK government expects to receive an official written confirmation and the full details of the deal from the Russian officials over the next few days.
Russia had imposed a ban on British beef and lamb following an outbreak of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the UK in 1996. Following this, the UK implemented strict controls, which led to the virtual disappearance of the disease from the country.
UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said that British food is known globally for the use of quality ingredients, reliable traceability, and rigorous production standards.
"This deal is further evidence of international confidence in what British producers have to offer," Paterson added.
