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U.S. Beef Group Worried About Brazilian Meat Exports

Written by Paulo Nogueira
Published on 05/03/2020 at 08:50
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Brazil Has the Second Largest Cattle Herd in the World and Despite the Approval of Brazilian Beef in the U.S., There Is a Real Concern About Infectious Issues and Hygiene

The U.S. is opening its doors to allow the import of Brazilian beef, amid concerns from local representatives of the livestock sector. Alongside food safety interests, stakeholders emphasize the potential risk of greater confusion surrounding the labeling of products “Product of USA”. Following the suspension of raw intact beef exports from Brazil in 2017, the U.S. government recently conducted an onsite equivalency verification audit of intact beef products from Brazil.

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The NCBA [National Cattlemen’s Beef Association] strongly supports science-based trade and the Trump administration’s efforts to reinforce science-based trade with all trade partners. But to be clear, the NCBA has serious concerns about the re-entry of Brazilian beef into the U.S. market,” emphasizes Kent Bacus, senior director of international trade and market access for NCBA.

According to reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brazil has the second largest cattle herd in the world – 232 million heads – and its production is primarily grass-based. The rising demand for beef worldwide has stimulated increases in production and productivity gains. In 2018, Brazil reached its highest level of beef production, with 9.9 million tons. A September 2018 report from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) indicated that programs subsidizing and enhancing pastures and breeding are the key drivers of the overall increase in cattle production in 2019.

Between 1990 and 2018, the Brazilian cattle herd grew by 56%. Brazilian beef production peaked in 2014, reaching 9.7 million tons. During Brazil’s recession from 2014 to 2016, along with the depreciation of the national currency, Brazilian beef production continued to grow, but at a slower rate. Meanwhile, higher prices denominated in local currency offset greater production costs, reports the USDA.

The U.S. Main Concern is Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Addressing Food Safety Concerns

According to the USDA, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently conducted an onsite equivalency verification audit of intact raw beef products from Brazil to verify the implementation of corrective actions in response to various audits and technical discussions. This follows the suspension of raw intact beef exports from Brazil in 2017 imposed by the agency.

The FSIS uses a “three-pronged approach” to verify whether a foreign country’s inspection system for imported meat, poultry, and processed eggs provides a level equivalent to public health protection as that of the U.S. inspection system.

The agency confirmed that Brazil has implemented the corrective actions and determined that its food safety inspection system governing the production of intact raw beef is equivalent to that of the U.S. As a result, the FSIS is lifting the suspension of intact beef exported from Brazil to the U.S., effective February 21. Products of intact raw beef from Brazil will be subject to new inspection at U.S. entry points by FSIS import inspectors, as required for meat, poultry, and processed eggs from other countries.



“The NCBA praised Secretary Perdue for advocating for science-based trade and holding Brazil accountable for its numerous violations, suspending its access and subjecting it to a comprehensive science-based inspection and audit process. It is clear that the USDA believes Brazil has addressed the concerns raised during the audit process, and steps will soon be taken to restore its access to the U.S.,” says Bacus.

Source: US Food – Translated and adapted by Click Oil and Gas

Paulo Nogueira

Eletrotécnica formado em umas das instituições de ensino técnico do país, o Instituto Federal Fluminense - IFF ( Antigo CEFET), atuei diversos anos na áreas de petróleo e gás offshore, energia e construção. Hoje com mais de 8 mil publicações em revistas e blogs online sobre o setor de energia, o foco é prover informações em tempo real do mercado de empregabilidade do Brasil, macro e micro economia e empreendedorismo. Para dúvidas, sugestões e correções, entre em contato no e-mail informe@en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br. Vale lembrar que não aceitamos currículos neste contato.

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