ICSA calls for EU ban on Brazil beef

Brazil: ICSA beef committee chairman Robin Smith has called on EU Commissioner David Byrne to impose a temporary EU ban on Brazilian beef imports as a precautionary measure.

His call for the ban was in response to the first reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Brazil for almost three years. Argentina and Russia introduced bans.

Mr Smith said Mr Byrne had an obligation to protect the health status of EU cattle and sheep and it would be prudent to act accordingly.

“We must not allow the health status of Irish and EU livestock to be put at risk until such time as the outbreak is under complete control,” he said.