June 24, 2005

Concerns on standard of Brazilian beef imports in Ireland
 

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association delegation has convened with senior EU officials (Health and Consumer Protection Directorate) to urge them to keep up the pressure for more stringent traceability and identification requirements in Brazil.

ICSA president, Malcolm Thompson, who led the delegation, said that EU beef farmers could not understand why they were expected to compete on an uneven playing pitch against Brazilian imports.

Inspections carried out by the Food and Veterinary office (FVO), have shown that there are shortcomings in Brazil's traceability system. In a 2003 report, it was found that only 10-20 percent of animals are checked on arrival at slaughterhouses, and animals are accepted as EU-eligible despite lacking ID.

Despite sustaining full tariffs, Brazilian beef imports have risen from 25,000 tonnes to more than 100,000 tonnes per annum since the start of the new millennium.