Brazil enters 200 farms for inspection

BRAZIL has submitted to Brussels a list of fewer than 200 holdings it says are eligible for exporting beef to the EU.

The EU Commission confirmed that it is examining the file which was accompanied by inspection reports.

Meanwhile, the commission intends to start inspection in Brazil today to verify EU requirements are being met in the proposed holdings.

Irish Farmers’ Association president Padraig Walshe said the farms must be treated with suspicion and urged the commission to hold firm against the Brazilians and maintain its ban on beef imports from that country.

He said the Brazilians have repeatedly failed to meet commitments to correct failures on meeting EU standards.

“A number of weeks back Brazil submitted a list of 2,500 farms in direct contravention of the commission’s decision of January 2007.

“When this list was thrown out by the EU, it is understood they submitted another list of about 600 beef ranches which was also reported as being rejected by the commission,” he said.

Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness called on the commission to ensure that the farms on the new list meet the criteria that applies within the EU, including traceability, animal identification, and audit programmes.

“It is regrettable that the report of the Food and Veterinary Office of November last has still not been made available,” Ms McGuinness said.