European Commission expected to restrict imports of Brazilian beef

SEVERE restrictions on beef imports from Brazil are expected to be agreed by the European Commission as early as next week.

This follows a visit to the South American country by EU food and veterinary officers last month, during which it is understood they found significant breaches of health rules.

The expected restrictions were welcomed by IFA president Pádraig Walsh who was in Strasbourg yesterday where the European Parliament was meeting. “This confirms that what the IFA have been saying all along is correct. If Irish or any other EU beef producers were found to be operating similar standards, they would be jailed and their cattle confiscated,” he said.

The EU’s Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou raised the issue at yesterday’s weekly commission meeting where it is understood he said he would be looking for further restrictions on Brazilian beef.

But the matter was not discussed further. It is expected that decisions on the next step will be made by the veterinary experts at their meeting on December 19.

A spokesperson for Mr Kyprianou said they were assessing the findings of the mission to Brazil of November 6-19 and the commission will consider the next steps to be taken.

Independent MEP Marian Harkin urged Mr Kyprianou to take whatever measures are necessary to protect consumers from sub-standard beef imports from Brazil.

“Given what has been uncovered by the two most recent visits of inspectors, there are ongoing serious problems in Brazil and I expect that Mr Kyprianou would take the necessary measures,” she said.

However, it could be the new year before any restrictions come into force. In the past year the EU imported about 300,000 tons of beef from Brazil.

The IFA says it uncovered relatively free movement of cattle even from states where foot and mouth disease is rife; irregularities over ear tags which meant no real traceability; and breaches of the rule that cattle are drug free for 90 days before slaughter.