Brussels, 20/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 December, the European Union decided to introduce increased restrictions and controls on imports of beef from Brazil, as it considers there are a number of deficiencies in Brazil's animal health and traceability systems at a time when the country is affected by an outbreak of foot and mouth. The protection measures were taken in the light of a report from the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), which highlighted these shortcomings. “Despite a series of warnings from the Commission after previous inspections, the Brazilian authorities failed to take the appropriate measures to correct these problems”, the services under Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, explain. An EU embargo on beef imports has already been imposed on three regions of Brazil affected by foot and mouth.
According to the proposal endorsed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH), the new conditions for imports of Brazilian beef will apply as of 31 January 2008. From that date on, beef imports into the EU will only be authorised if the meat comes from approved and restricted holdings in Brazil “which are fully in line with EU import requirements and which meet strict criteria”.
In order to allow importation into the EU, the animals must remain in the areas approved by the EU during at least 90 days and must remain in the approved holdings during a period of at least 40 days before slaughter. If animals from non EU-authorised territories are introduced to a listed holding, another 90-day standstill is required for all animals on that holding. All animals on the listed holdings must be identified and registered in the national identification system for cattle. The FVO will carry out inspections in order to verify that all EU import requirements are met. The EU will list all holdings approved for export in the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). The list of eligible holdings may be reviewed in light of the outcome of these inspections. Brazil is the leading beef exporter country in the world with nearly 2.3 million tonnes, i.e. one third of total world trade in beef. (L.C.)