May 2, 2023

 

Brazilian court judge prohibits live cattle export from all Brazilian ports

 

A Brazilian court judge has moved to prohibit the export of live cattle from all Brazilian ports, just as a long-standing ban from New Zealand takes effect, Beef Central reported.

 

The Brazilian court decision is the latest development in a lawsuit filed in 2017 in a Sao Paulo court by The National Forum for the Protection and Defence of Animals, requesting that all live cattle exports be prohibited.

 

Last week, Brazilian judge Djalma Gomes handed down a verdict in the case. The verdict can be appealed.

 

The decision also does not imply that Brazilian exports have been or will be prohibited. The judge's order could not take effect until a decision was reached in a higher Federal court, where Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) has influence and power to intervene.

 

In 2018, a lower court attempted, but failed, to prohibit live exports from Brazil.

 

According to trade sources, despite the order, trading from Brazil continues.

 

Carlos Favaro, Brazil's Agriculture Minister, said that he had not discussed whether the federal government would appeal the decision with the solicitor general.

 

He said that court orders must be followed, but defended Brazil's live cattle trade, as foreign buyers would not invest in livestock that might lose weight during transportation.

 

He said that the accommodations the animals travel in are adequate and favour the cattle's continued development.

 

According to USDA data, Brazil is the world's fifth largest exporter of live cattle, with an estimated 150,000 head exported in 2022.

 

In recent years, its main markets have been Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

 

A shipment of slaughter bulls from Brazil to Vietnam was also completed in August 2021, but no additional shipments have been made since.

 

The USDA said Brazil's live cattle exports will fall by 69% in 2021, owing to a limited supply of cattle and higher cattle prices.

 

The Brazil decision comes as a two-year phase-out of live animal exports by sea from New Zealand ended on April 30, with the ban now in effect. Following a review of the practise, the New Zealand government announced in 2021 that live sea exports would be prohibited.

 

-      Beef Central