Karen Morgan Defra counsellor in China

Karen Morgan

The UK’s first agriculture and food counsellor in China has been appointed to help increase food and drink exports to the country.

Karen Morgan, based in the British embassy in Beijing, will represent the interests of UK businesses already exporting to China, as well as firms looking to open new trade links.

The role, backed by “significant” funding from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), will involve identifying opportunities for new markets, including speciality produce, and further developing relationships with Chinese authorities.

AHDB chairman Peter Kendall said: “This new post represents a long term strategic levy investment by AHDB, together with our continued close cooperation with the China Business Council.

“I know the AHDB export team is looking forward to working with Karen to expand our activities in China’s meat, livestock and dairy markets and to help create new opportunities for fresh produce and cereals.”

British exports to China reached £215 million in 2013, up from £136m in 2012 – and Defra said the new appointment is expected to help grow this figure.

Environment minister Liz Truss, who visits China this week, said: “The appointment of our first agriculture and food counsellor in Beijing will strengthen our trade and negotiating presence in China and help UK businesses take advantage of the vast opportunities the Chinese market represents.'

Morgan, who currently leads Defra’s competitive farming team, will take up the role in the spring.She said: “It is a very exciting time to be in China, where the opportunities for British exports are vast and growing all the time.

“I look forward to building close relationships both with British companies and the Chinese authorities and hope that we can really grasp some of the market opportunities in coming months and years.”

Morgan has worked in a variety of agriculture and environment roles in government, including being a private secretary to farming ministers in the current coalition government and the previous government.

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