MPs issue cheese SOS as British exports set for Christmas crisis

Seven MPs and one Peer have signed a cross-party letter written by Helen Morgan MP issuing an ‘SOS’ for British cheese exporters in the face of trading arrangements ending at the start of 2024.

The UK exports nearly £20 million worth of cheese to Canada every year, representing a major export market for British producers. However, new trading rules being brought in at the start of January are set to cause serious damage to British exporters, giving our producers a much smaller slice of the quota for the Canadian market.

Belton Farm near Whitchurch exports products worth over £1 million to the Canadian market every year – and wants to continue to do so on the same terms in future.

Helen Morgan MP is asking the Trade Secretary to extend current trading arrangements to save the industry. She has been supported by MPs including Conservative Selaine Saxby, who represents North Devon.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “With Christmas coming, cheese is on the mind and plates of many.

“British producers should be going into the New Year with a real optimism, but unfortunately, many exporters are facing a real crisis with our access to the Canadian market set to be lost almost overnight.

“I have written a letter, signed cross-party by seven MPs and a peer, asking the Government to extend the current trading arrangements and avert a Christmas cheese crisis for our producers."

The letter can be seen below: