23 Mar 2022

AIC welcomes removal of US maize import tariffs to secure UK feed supplies

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) welcomes the Government’s announcement that from 1st June, it will remove the 25% import tariff on maize imported to the UK from the United States.

Ed Barker, Head of Policy at AIC, says, “Since the start of the war in Ukraine, AIC has been clear that the UK Government must be prepared to take quick action to facilitate the continued supply of inputs to UK agriculture, such as animal feed. This includes addressing barriers to trade with the EU or the rest of the world.

“AIC has been pressing Government to review the 25% import tariff on US maize since the end of 2021. The decision to lift it will help to mitigate the now limited maize exports coming from Ukraine and Russia and will improve the ability of the agri-supply chain to maintain a continued supply of animal feed to UK farmers. This will be welcomed by AIC Members and UK livestock farmers.

“However, there will continue to be challenges arising from the war in Ukraine that will have negative impacts on the wider agri-supply chain. Government must work closely with the agri-supply industry to find appropriate resolutions. No policy or legislative responses should be considered off the table.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

27% of the UK’s maize imports come from Ukraine.

The 25% import tariff on US maize was part of a group of import tariffs applied on US goods in retaliation for ‘Section 232’ tariffs imposed by the USA to UK exports of steel and aluminium in 2018 under then President Donald Trump. Since the tariff was applied, no maize has been imported to the UK from the USA.

Since 1st January 2022 the EU has removed the 25% tariff on imported maize from USA, whereas the UK chose to retain it.

ENDS


About AIC

AIC is the UK trade association representing the agricultural supply chain sectors of Animal FeedArable Marketing, Crop Protection & Agronomy, Fertiliser and Seed, since its inception in 2003.

In all, AIC represents Members responsible for some £17.8 billion of farm trade. A significant part of its work is political lobbying and influencing, as well as supporting Members with technical information.

AIC Services, which is the professional services arm of AIC manages a range of services, including Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential tools to underpin feed & food safety alongside fertiliser security.

These schemes and professional registers include:

www.agindustries.org.uk

Press Contact

Oli Hill, Communications Manager, AIC 
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]