November 30, 2007

Brazil intensifies meat export controls to the EU

Brazil is now stepping up its actions on its meat products and traceability after recommendations made by delegates from the European Union in its 15-day inspection on Brazilian meat plants.

The EU has already found improvements in other related areas, such as sanitary inspections and the country's fight against Brazil's fight against foot and mouth disease.

EU-approved meat plants should have meat processed 90 days after it has been authorised. 

States that are currently allowed to export to the EU (Goias, Espirito Santo, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and areas of Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais), have been given 60 days to incorporate an animal movement electronic monitoring system.

All slaughterhouses exporting to the EU should have apply the Bovine and Bubaline Production Chain Traceability Service SISBOV's rules (Brazil's traceability system) for both domestic and export production.

During the mission, two processing plants from Marfrig and Independencia were suspended to export to the EU as a result of export procedure deficiencies.