EU audit of Brazilian production of beef for export shows mixed results

MIXED results continue in EU audits of Brazil’s production of beef for export to the EU.

During a visit in March and April, inspectors from the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office found the Brazilian system for auditing farms approved for export to the EU to be satisfactory. On one farm, 70 animals had two eartag identification numbers active in the database at the same time. They visited seven offices of the Brazilian beef inspectorate, eight slaughterhouses, eight cutting premises, eight cold stores, and six farms in five states. Significant maintenance issues were identified in a number of slaughterhouses. In two establishments, there was a risk of contamination of meat due to faults such as rusty, peeling overhead structures, damaged walls and badly drained floors. Animal welfare issues were noted in four slaughterhouses. The FVO audit team identified some deficiencies in the use of veterinary medicines. Some farms had precise documented systems for storing and recording veterinary treatments, others had limited or clearly incomplete records.nFVO inspectors were in Uruguayan in May, and found that control systems were generally satisfactory for certification of beef and wild rabbits and hares to be exported to the EU.