Commisioner Should Ban Brazilian Beef Immediately

EU - The Ulster Farmers’ Union has responded to comments today in the European Parliament by European Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, about Brazilian beef imports.

10 October 2007

1 minute read

Mr Kyprianou is reported to have told MEP’s that the EU Commission has identified weaknesses in Brazil and has put pressure on Brazil to respond. He said if the situation did not improve in the time frame, which is by the end of the year, the EU will take whatever measures necessary, including the possibility of an import ban on Brazilian beef.

Responding to the Commissioners comments, Ulster Farmers’ Union President Kenneth Sharkey said that where doubt existed, an import ban should be put in place immediately.

Kenneth Sharkey said; “We have repeatedly called on the EU Commission to ban Brazilian beef imports. Foot and Mouth Disease has taken hold in the country and the traceability system in the Brazilian beef industry is hugely inferior to the system that local farmers have invested heavily in. Accusations of illegal use of hormones and poor veterinary medicine controls have not been answered. There is no room for error with consumer protection and the Commissioner should act now to ban Brazilian beef”.