World meat industry news

The Ulster Farmers’ Union says the decision by the US Department of Agriculture to ban the import of fresh Brazilian beef echoes its concerns that sanctions by the European Union have not matched the scale of shortcomings highlighted by allegations of bribery to allow the export of sub-standard meat. This was reported by Farming Life.

Commenting, UFU president, Barclay Bell said: “It is wrong that the European Commission is pressing ahead with attempts to secure a free trade deal with the Mercosur countries of South America, when there is such a big question mark over the fitness of one of the key players to export food. We agree with other farm lobby organisations that these talks should be delayed until that is resolved.”

Commission veterinary officials had visited Brazil, and the Commission is suggesting the problems found can be resolved, he adds and claims to see their report in full.

The UFU president said that nothing that had emerged from the Commission or in Brazil had altered his view that a full scale ban on imports of Brazilian beef to Europe should be implemented immediately. “If the US believes that is appropriate, the Commission must explain why it is adopting a more forgiving stance towards the widespread flouting of global trading rules by Brazil,” he added.