Britain Locks in Pig Sperm Deal With China, Strikes Up Agreement to Send Semen, Feet to Chinese Diners

Farmers in England announced on Wednesday that they would soon begin sending pig sperm to breeders in China, in the wake of a spike in meat demand for the Asian country.

The Agence France Presse reported that four artificial insemination facilities in England and Northern Ireland would be part of the deal, which will involve both fresh and frozen pig semen. The companies will start to ship over the goods in 2014, according to officials.

Prime Minister David Cameron closed the agreement during his three-day trade trip to China, AFP reported. Representatives from the Prime Minister's office reported that the arrangement could reap profits of around 45 million pounds-around $74 million. Livestock exports are included in that number.

Minister of the Environment Owen Paterson said that Cameron also plans to include a deal to export pig's feet from farmers.

"Pig trotters at home will often go to waste, but in China, they are a real delicacy," Paterson wrote in a statement, using the British term "trotters" for "feet." "Opening an export market for trotters worth 7.5 million pounds will be a further boost for our farming industry on top of the deals we have made on pig semen and cuts of pork last year."

The deal arrives in the wake of an increased demand from China, where pork comprises the bulk of the country's meat-based meals.

China is looking to up the efficiency of pig production while scaling back on its environmental footprint, according to the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Britain is seeking other locations to sell its pig products, which don't flourish in the UK, but are eaten by most Chinese diners.

Officials on Downing Street are hoping this venture will satisfy both markets,along with all parties involved.

"That would be a real win-win," an unnamed spokesperson told the Daily Mail. "A multimillion-pound boost for Britain and a gstronomic treat for Chinese diners."

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