EU Threatens Total Ban On Imports Of Brazilian Beef
UK - Animal health authorities in Brazil have been told in no uncertain terms that the EU will impose a total ban on imports of beef by the end of the year unless standards of welfare, traceability and residue testing match those of Europe.
9 May 2007
2 minute read
An EU veterinary mission to Brazil in March reported that, while some progress has been made since a previous inspection, there are still several concerns, especially on animal health and the control and use of vaccines.
A ban on imports from three provinces in Brazil has been in place since October 2005, largely as a result of a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The three provinces, Mato Grosso do Sul, Parana and Sao Paulo, accounted for 60 per cent of Brazilian exports of beef.
The expectation was that the ban would result in a major decline in trade with the EU, But this has not been borne out in practice, with a fall of just over 5 per cent in 2006.
This in turn has raised serious concerns over the movement of both live cattle and carcases between provinces in this vast country. Last year Brazil exported 333,000 tonnes of beef to the EU. In the first two months of this year the UK imported 4,951 tonnes from Brazil, which suggests that over a full year months the total will be about 30,000 tonnes.
Brazil has been pressing for the ban on exports from the three provinces to be lifted. However, sources at the International Meat Traders Association say the Brazilian ambassador in Brussels has been warned that unless the situation is remedied a total ban will be imposed.
Source: Scotsman
For more information on Foot-And-Mouth Disease, click here.
