September 5, 2007

Some UK Parliament members want Brazil beef ban

In what appears to be yet another shot across the bow of Brazil's beef industry, some UK Members of Parliament are set to ask European officials on Tuesday to ban Brazil beef imports, the local Estado newswire reported from London on Tuesday (September 4).

UK rancher associations have been lobbying EU lawmakers all year to get a ban on their main competitors in Europe's lucrative beef market. But EU animal health officials, while not entirely pleased with Brazilian animal registration and tracking practices, have denied UK cattle ranchers any leeway in the ongoing trade dispute.

The UK Members of Parliament alleged that the European Commission was permitting cheap Brazil beef imports despite "poor quality control" measures in Brazil, the newswire reported.

The UK officials want the Commission to adopt stricter standards for Brazilian beef. If those standards are not met, the Members of Parliament recommend a beef ban, the report said.

Brazil is the world's largest beef exporter.