Brazilian meat banned

Argentina and Chile suspended imports of Brazilian meat yesterday, joining 28 other countries that have banned Brazilian meat imports after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the government said.

Argentina suspended imports of all Brazilian meat, the Health Ministry said. Chile’s ban applies to meat from the Midwestern farming state of Mato Grosso do Sul, where the outbreak was detected, the ministry said.

The 25 nations of the European Union have also suspended Brazilian meat imports, as well as Russia, Israel and South Africa.

The suspension followed the discovery this week of an outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth cattle disease near Eldorado, in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Tests showed some 140 animals were infected, leading authorities to slaughter all 582 animals on the homestead.

Brazil is the world’s leading beef exporter by volume. Its 190 million head of cattle gives it the largest commercial herd in the world. Mato Grosso do Sul has approximately 25 million cattle and contributes to nearly half of Brazil’s beef exports.