Trade with America is set to resume for the UK’s beef and lamb producers, after the US Department of Agriculture published proposals to relax import restrictions. If the draft agreement holds, British producers could be exporting red meat to North America by January.

The breakthrough was announced by Farming Minister George Eustice at the National Sheep Event in Malvern, Worcestershire on Wednesday. Eustice said the resumption of exports stands to generate an extra £35 million for the sector.

A 1,000-page dossier was submitted to the USDA detailing the safety and quality of British beef and lamb ahead of trade talks with US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in Washington in April. Eustice said Defra officials are now coordinating UK trade bodies to comment not the USDA consultation, and working with industry groups in the United States to gain support.

Red meat imports from Britain were banned by US authorities almost 20 years ago, a result of the BSE scandal.

Speaking from Malvern, the farming minister said,  “The US decision to press ahead with proposals to lift export restrictions on British lamb is great news for our farmers who are one step closer to gaining access to the lucrative American market, worth an estimated £35 million a year.”

Defra is celebrating first major trade deal struck since Britain voted to leave the EU, and though Eustice said on Wednesday that the government is committed to “forging good trade deals with our European neighbours,” he echoed comments made by Defra’s spokesperson to the Lords, Lord Gardiner, during a debate on farming and Brexit last week, adding, “We want to secure more export opportunities in the States as well as with our close friends in the Commonwealth and other countries around the world.”

Also commenting on the announcement, National Sheep Association (NSA) chief executive Phil Stocker said, “Increasing the number of export destinations for British sheep meat is vital for our industry, ensuring there is demand for our quality product in as many markets as possible.

“It is very encouraging that the USA is interested in opening its doors. Lamb sales in the USA have dropped over the years, as a result of a falling domestic production base, and NSA would like to see British lamb exported and promoted to boost consumption. It could be a real opportunity for our sector.”