Brazil Beef Industry Says Two-Year Wait to Resume EU Exports Is ‘Unacceptable’

Roberto Perosa, president of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec), described as “unacceptable” the possibility that Brazil may have to wait two years to resume beef exports to the European Union and called for the country to adopt reciprocal trade measures if the bloc maintains the requirement.

“Two years is unacceptable for Brazil. If that is the case, then we want to stop importing olive oil from Europe, stop importing all cheese from France — anything we can stop importing, we will stop importing for two years as well,” Perosa told Valor on Thursday on the sidelines of the Global Agribusiness Forum in São Paulo.

Agriculture Minister André de Paula told Valor on Wednesday, Sept. 30, that talks are continuing in an effort to minimize the impact on the beef supply chain, but that the EU insists on assessing Brazilian controls only after a full animal life cycle, which lasts at least two years.

“We have a protocol developed by the production chain, and that protocol is already being implemented. We want the European Union to recognize Brazil’s efforts and give us more time to adapt our production so that trade flows are not interrupted,” Perosa said.

Speaking to a group of foreign journalists, the Abiec president also discussed the sustainability and production capacity of Brazil’s cattle industry. The interruption of Brazilian meat exports to EU markets has become a key concern for both the beef and poultry sectors as they work to meet the bloc’s antimicrobial requirements.

Brazilian Meat Exports to EU: Chicken Shipments Under Review

According to Ricardo Santin, president of the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), the resumption of chicken exports to the European Union is under review after two representatives from the bloc conducted an audit in Brazil. “We have already completed a full life cycle for the chickens and shown that we segregate production and do not use antimicrobials as growth promoters.”

Santin told Valor that the auditors said “categorically” that Brazil complies with the European Union’s rules on antimicrobial use. With no way to accelerate the process, the association is now awaiting the bloc’s decision. “We have done our part. Now we will wait for the decision.”

Nearly a month after exports were suspended on Sept. 3, Santin said there had been no losses because chicken meat intended for export had been redirected to other markets. “Europe is important to Brazil, it helps set prices, but it accounts for less than 7% of our exports. Last year, we went more than four months without selling to Europe and did not suffer losses.”

Source: Globo Rural

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