The NPA is urging the pig industry to take notice of a ‘fantastic opportunity to promote British food in China’.
Karen Morgan (pictured speaking at the conference in 2017) was appointed as the UK’s first Agriculture and Food Counsellor in China in 2015, but she is now stepping down. The role is currently being advertised again.
The position, which is partly funded by AHDB, is based in the British embassy in Beijing. The Department for International Trade advert says the successful individual will help achieve the objective of ‘driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China’s goods imports, and more than doubling the value of UK services exports’.
The role will also involve consistent trade policy engagement with China and positioning the UK as ‘the top European destination for Chinese investment’ and providing strong support for UK investors.
“We are seeking an expert, engaging and enterprising leader who has an inclusive mind-set to lead the team of agriculture, food and drink advisers based across China and who will draw professionals together from across industry, business and the HMG network both in China and the UK,” the advert says.
The UK pig sector has made significant strides in building exports to China in recent years, a success that has added real extra value to the UK pig carcase.
The mportance of maintaining and building on this trade will only increase as we enter the post-Brexit period, according to NPA senior policy advisor Georgina Crayford, who is hoping somebody with connections to the pig sector might be in a position to take on the role.
“Karen has done a superb job in her three years,” she said. “This post represents a great opportunity to promote British pork in China alongside other food and farming products.
“We would love to see someone from the pig sector in the role – so if any readers of this website think you have got what it takes, give it a go! Equally, if you know anybody who might suit the role, give them a nudge.”