UK signs deal to export breeding pigs to China

Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable speaks during the Liberal Democrat conference in Liverpool, northern England, September 18, 2010.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Monday signed a deal that will allow the export of its breeding pigs to China, home to half of the world's pig population, the government said.

The deal and future business stemming from the agreement is expected to be worth around 45 million pounds to the British pig industry over the next five years.

The agreement coincided with Britain's biggest ever trade delegation to China, the world's second-largest economy.

"This agreement gives a valuable boost to the British pig industry and is already delivering results," Business Secretary Vince Cable said.

Cable is part of the government team visiting Beijing this week. Prime Minister David Cameron will arrive on Tuesday.

The pigs will begin to be flown out shortly, the first export of British breeding pigs to China for three years. With artificial insemination techniques, an adult boar can sire 6,000 piglets a year.

Two British firms, JSR Genetics based in Yorkshire and JJ Genetics in Cambridge, are already planning to expand their business in China on the back of the deal.

Agreement has also been reached on health certification to allow a start to be made on the export of UK pigmeat to China. British industry officials say that pig meat exports to China have the potential to rise to over 40 million pounds per annum if all UK meat processing plants are approved.

(Editing by Erica Billingham)