May 26, 2008

US to assess Brazilian meat production facilities

The Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services of the USDA has announced that they will make a technical mission to the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina to assess fresh beef and pork production conditions in the state.

The decision was made after a Brazil-US Agricultural Committee meeting was held on Monday 19 May in Brazil and the journey is expected to begin between 9 and 13 June 2008

Santa Catarina is the only state recognised by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) as free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination in Brazil.

The US has not recognised the regionalisation principle for phytosanitary measures in previous years, but there is increasing optimism among Brazilian authorities, as the World Trade Organisation (of which the US is a member) has recently agreed to recognise this principle.