Ring Calls For Ban on Brazilian Beef

IRELAND - Agricultural Minister Mary Coughlan has been accused of giving a fillip to Brazilian beef by stating the product was fit for consumption.

7 September 2007

1 minute read

Europe

Now her statement is being produced as evidence in Brazil that their beef is fit for the Irish market, according to Mayo Deputy Michael Ring, who has called on the Government to immediately ban the importation of Brazilian beef because of the fears of foot and mouth disease, which is prevalent in that country.

Deputy Ring stated: “Minister Coughlan recently said that Brazilian beef was okay. Now producers are going around Brazil using this as evidence that Brazilian beef is okay. Europe is very worried about Brazilian beef, particularly with the lack of stringent testing and traceability, which is what Irish beef producers adhere to. Cattle have to be traceable from birth to death in this country.

“Thankfully there is no foot and mouth in Ireland, yet there is in Brazil. Europe is now getting concerned about it. It is terrible that Brazilian beef producers are now using the Minister’s statement as evidence that Brazilian beef is ‘not a threat to health’.

Source: Mayo Advertiser