EU import ban will remain in place until specific assurances are given
AGRICULTURE Minister Martin Heydon warned there will be no compromise over Irish and European food safety standards as he confirmed a ban on all Brazilian beef imports will come into force from Thursday.
Ireland will join with other European Union countries in suspending imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products from September 3 until further notice.
The suspension will remain in place until Brazilian officials provide clear assurances that they are complying with strict EU animal health and consumer safety rules.
Until now, Brazilian agri-officials have failed to provide acceptable proof to Brussels that their beef exports meet EU standards including strict provisions covering the misuse of antibiotics in production.
Mr Heydon said Irish and European consumers must always be assured of the highest standards of food production.
“What is very clear is that from this week the importation of Brazilian beef into Europe ceases,” he said.
“The Brazilians have been unable to meet the SPS food safety standards required.”
“There has been a recall of Brazilian meat previously. Previous discussions around Mercosur (trade block deal) focused on environmental standards and how our farmers in Europe are at a much higher standard.
“The idea of the trade deal from a European perspective was to try to bring up Brazilian standards and others around the world to European standards.
“What was never on the table was food safety standards.
“When you get a recall of a product that comes into Europe from a third country that does not fully meet our standards, unless those countries can prove that they have fixed the problem, it cannot come in here.
“We do not expose European consumers (to such products).”
Mr Heydon said he believed it was “the right call” by Brussels to act over Brazilian imports until all quality and safety assurances are satisfied.
The EU stressed that unless specific assurances are given by Brazil, the import suspension will remain in place.
“Brazil will no longer be authorised to export to the EU food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption,” a Commission spokesperson said.
The EU has, to date, declined to specify when the suspension might be lifted if acceptable assurances are offered by the Brazilian authorities.
It is believed that lifting the beef ban could take significantly longer than other meat imports such as poultry.
“Brazil is an important partner for the EU and we are working closely, constructively and positively with Brazilian authorities to ensure their compliance with these requirements,” the spokesperson added.
“Once compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume.”
The EU has adopted a tough approach over animal health guidelines in the wake of trenchant criticism from European farmers over the trade deal struck with the Mercosur export group which includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Brazilian beef exports to the EU are worth almost €750m. They rank as the second largest beef imports to the EU.