September 2, 2004

EU Resumes Routine Testing Of Poultry Meat From Brazil

The European Commission has decided to lift the remaining 20% testing requirement on poultry meat from Brazil.

Since October 2002, all consignments of poultry meat and poultry meat products from Brazil have had to be tested for the presence of nitrofurane residues. It is a substance which had been detected in imported products from Brazil.

The requirement to test all consignments was reduced from 100% to 20% on 2 March 2004. This was based on the guarantees offered by the Brazilian authorities, results of tests carried out by EU Member States as well as the results of a mission of the Food and Veterinary Office.

Ever since the reduction of testing was implemented, no further news of nitrofurans in poultry from Brazil has been received through the EU rapid alert system.

"Therefore, the Commission considers that no further specific measures are necessary for imports of Brazilian poultry meat. It has now adopted the decision to return to normal routine testing, with the agreement of the Member States through the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health," the Commission added.