July 1, 2015
US to soon open up to beef exports from Brazil and Argentina
Imports of fresh beef from Brazil and Argentina will soon be permitted into the US following regulatory updates by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), news.com.au reported.
A ban on Argentine imports was in place since 2001 due to a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak amongst Argentina's cattle herd. According to Hector Timerman, the foreign minister of Argentina, the country has been free of FMD since 2007. He added that Mexico and Canada will also be reopening their markets.
The US's recent decision to allow beef imports came as a result of planning by the Brazilian government before an official meeting with US President Barack Obama, Katia Abreu, Brazil's minister of agriculture, said.
However, it remains uncertain when the ban will eventually cease. Argentina and Brazil are still obligated to fulfill other food safety requirements before getting the go-ahead for beef exports to the US.
Argentina's beef export trade to the US, Mexico and Canada could reach about US$280 million, Axel Kicillof, the Argentine economy minister, revealed.
Brazil's beef exports to the US is expected to reach 100,000 tonnes in the next five years.
