Brazil urges South Africa to lift beef import ban

Brazil is lobbying South Africa to lift a ban on Brazilian beef and pork imports, implemented since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Brazil in October 2005.

Several countries have since lifted their embargoes fully or partially.

Mari Carmen, the head of trade section at the Brazilian embassy in Pretoria, said they hope to solve the beef embargo issue by year-end.

There is increased pressure on South Africa to resolve the issue, and Brazil may take the case to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) if progress is not made soon. However, South African authorities are still concerned about certain health and safety issues.

Meanwhile, South Africa is keen to improve relations with Brazil, and reopening the South African market for Brazilian meat will be crucial. A trade dispute may also ruin chances of a ratification of a preferential trade agreement between the Southern African Customs Union and Mercosur, of which South Africa and Brazil are important members of, respectively.

SA Meat Industry Company director Tim Davidson said imported meat must meet certain health and safety criteria, and the ban will only be lifted once veterinary services is convinced that Brazilian meat holds no threat to the national herd.