EU delegation heads for Brazil

Another review of the EU restrictions on imports of beef from Brazil is being undertaken this week, the outcome of which will be critical for the beef trade in Europe into 2007.

An official delegation from the European Commission is visiting Brazil this week to carry out a review of the Brazilian food safety measures for exports leaving the country. The restrictions on imports from certain states in Brazil has boosted demand and price for EU produced beef throughout the year, with producers fearing a reversal in the trend if increased volumes of low cost Brazilian returns to the market.

The average steer beef at the Sao Paulo Market in Brazil was selling last week at the equivalent of 148 cents/kg (53p/lb) dw.