Concerns over Brazilian Beef Standards

Concerns regarding identification, traceability and assurances within the Brazilian beef sector have all been raised at a meeting of the NFU Livestock Chairs from throughout the UK held in Ireland. NFU Cymru Livestock Chairman, Ed Rees was present.

The issue of Brazilian beef is at the top of NFU Cymru's agenda especially following a meeting with Commissioner Kyprianou, European Health Commissioner in Brussels where NFU Cymru President Dai Davies made absolutely clear, the Union's concerns over fresh Brazilian beef imports.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President said, "Commissioner Kyprianou gave a commitment at the meeting to improve individual identification within Brazil and take immediate action if the next Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) mission found continued shortcomings in the implementation."

However, one year has passed since the initial FVO visit and reports of a field trip to Brazil undertaken by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) have indicated a severe lack of tagging and traceability with further outbreaks of foot and mouth disease imminent

Numerous flaws were found. These included:

Animals with no tags and signs of illegal tag removal

Non existent traceability system

Widespread movements of cattle across states and border 

Further foot and mouth disease outbreaks imminent in Brazil

There is a risk of foot and mouth outbreaks being covered up

The government has adopted a 'do not want to know' foot and mouth policy and

Illegal hormones were found on a beef finishing unit.

Dai Davies said, "We have already been in discussion with the European Parliament Agriculture Committee, as it is totally unacceptable that meat from Brazil is still being imported into this country. I cannot understand how some UK retailers are prepared to put this Brazilian product on their shelves. It is absolutely unacceptable."