Total ban on Brazil beef as EU's patience runs out

Published on Thursday 31 January 2008 21:20

A TOTAL ban on imports of beef from Brazil is set to be imposed by the EU in mid-March, after Brazil tried to push the boundaries of strict limits that came into effect last Thursday.

Last week's extensive import ban was a result of concerns about controls on foot-and-mouth disease and traceability of cattle in Brazil. Last year Brazil exported about 280,000 tonnes of beef to the EU of which more than 20,000 tonnes was landed in the UK.

Limited amounts of beef would still have access to the European market, sourced from approved Brazilian farms. Veterinary authorities in Brussels reckoned that there would be no more than 300 such units, but the Brazilians yesterday submitted a list of 2,800 units that they say are fully compliant.

This was just too much for Markos Kyprianou, the EU health commissioner, who decreed there would now be a total ban on all imports.

Alyn Smith MEP, who represents the SNP and sits on the EU agriculture committee, speaking to The Scotsman from Brussels, said yesterday: "This news has made my day. Commissioner Kyprianou assured me that he would not hesitate to take action if Brazil was not playing ball, and indeed he has."