January 2, 2013

Peru will ban beef imports from Brazil for about 90 days due to an announcement by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that a dead cow from 2010 had been tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the Paraná state.

According to the Lima-based National Service for Agricultural Health (Senasa), Peru will prohibit such meat products as beef offal, small intestine and any others known to transmit the disease.

Peru will also cancel all import permits for these products except for those already in transit which, according to the Senasa, will be subject to a health control and inspection process upon their arrival.

The 90-day period may be extended or reduced depending on further information received by the Senasa on the issue.