The National Beef Association is leading a UK delegation to Moscow on June 19-21 to attend the AgroFarm Livestock Exhibition.

Representatives from Northern Ireland Limousin will travel to Moscow for AgroFarm 2007.

AgroFarm 2007 is the major International Exhibition for Animal husbandry and Breeding in Russia and will provide an outstanding platform for presenting the benefits and quality of UK livestock and services.

The comprehensive exhibition programme is supplemented by a practical technical programme aimed at the requirements of emergent Russian agriculture and with the Russian Ministry of Agriculture's animal production development programme in mind.

Collaboration between the exhibition organisers and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Rosagroleasing and Rosselchosbank with national and international trade associations will gather together important market players from agriculture and commerce.

And this will provide excellent opportunities for networking, particularly for UK exhibitors who are planning to enter the Russian market for the first time.

Initiated by the Russian President, moves are underway to draft a federal programme for the development of beef farming in the Russian Federation in the period up to 2012.

AgroFarm has been selected as one of the platforms to be used by industry experts to discuss the proposed programme. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture is convening a conference which will address the key issues of beef cattle breeding and identify a strategy for the development of this sector.

Already substantial enquiries has been received from Russia for large volumes of UK livestock, mainly dairy and beef breeding heifers and there is a huge willingness from livestock farmers in the CIS States to invest - although agreement on an International Animal Health Certificate which will allow live cattle trading between Russia and the UK has still to be agreed.

This is why the NBA, along with the British Pig Association believes attendance at the Exhibition is important because UK representatives need to meet with Russian officials to discuss the terms of the Certification conditions before trade in livestock can flow.

Twenty one UK delegates will travel to Moscow including representatives from the UK Hereford Association, the UK Highland Cattle Society, Norbreck Genetics, Cattle Genetics UK, Agri-Connect and WKD Consulting, the Northern Ireland Limousin and Aberdeen Angus Societies and the NI Suffolk and Isle de France Sheep Societies, LMC, Defra, BPA, MLC and the NBA.

All delegates will be promoting the benefits and quality of UK livestock, their products, and associated services with the main aim being to establish key business contacts as well as move negotiations forward regarding the Health Certification agreement.

A reception, to be held on June 20 and hosted by the British Embassy in Moscow, has been organised to provide an opportunity for delegates to discuss business with UK and Russian dignitaries.

British Pigs Booming at Agrofarm 2007
British Blonde Heifers Exported to Poland
British Charolais shipped to Poland