May 9, 2005

Brazil suspends all beefs exports to the US

In a move to improve slaughterhouse sanitary inspections in accordance with US recommendations, Brazil will suspend all exports of processed beef to the US on Thursday.

The Agriculture Ministry said that all 28 Brazilian companies licensed to export processed beef must suspend exports indefinitely.

US veterinarians had visited Brazil in March and criticised that Brazil's inspection teams were not qualified and federal officials should monitor the sanitary procedures. They subsequently banned three Brazilian companies and warned that five others could be blacklisted.