EU Commision Responding to Call of Brazilian Ban

IRELAND - Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Padraig Walshe has said that the response of the EU Commission to consider measures to restrict Brazilian beef imports due to Foot and Mouth risk is a vindication of the IFA’s findings on the failures and shortcomings in Brazil on standards and controls, particularly in relation to Foot and Mouth disease, movements and traceability.

13 December 2007

2 minute read

Europe

Speaking from Strasbourg, Padraig Walshe said the European Commission had finally sought to address the failure of Brazilian beef imports to meet EU standards.

At a meeting of the Commission today, Commissioner Kyprianou proposed a significant tightening of restrictions on imports of beef from Brazil.

Padraig Walshe said the next number of days is vital in this campaign called on Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to intensify her political efforts to convince member states of the real threat to the European Union from Brazilian beef imports. He said the detail to be approved at next week’s meeting would be crucial.

IFA National Livestock Chairman John Bryan, who travelled on both IFA missions to Brazil, said “FMD is endemic in Brazil and I remain convinced that only a total ban would fully safeguard the European herd.”

The FVO have repeatedly confirmed failures in Brazil to meet EU standards. The FVO report fully supports and vindicates the findings of the two IFA/Farmers Journal missions to Brazil in 2006 and in May of this year.

The IFA President said Minister Coughlan cannot allow the EU Commission compromise on standards in relation to animal health and food safety. He said “the admission by the Commission and the FVO that there are serious problems on standards in Brazil leaves Commissioner Kyprianou with no option but to impose a ban on Brazilian beef.”

He said, “Commissioner Fischer Boel has described the latest FVO report as ‘very critical’of Brazil.”