July 5, 2011

Brazilian group to challenge beef trade restrictions

Brazil's key beef industry group said on Friday (Jul 1) that it would request the government to challenge EU trade constraints on Brazilian beef at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in an attempt to recoup an annual loss of US$600 million.

If Brazil's government pushes ahead with the challenge, as it appears likely, it would be the latest sign of trade activism from a country that has already filed in recent years successful WTO complaints against European sugar and US cotton subsidies.

Antonio Jorge Camardelli, president of Brazil's Beef Exporters Association (Abiec), said the local beef industry was agreed and united in the cause.