The EU will introduce increased restrictions and controls on imports of beef from Brazil after the proposal was endorsed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCA)today.
From January 31st next, beef will only be allowed to be imported from an approved and restricted list of holdings in Brazil which are fully in line with EU import requirements and which meet strict criteria.
The new ruling says: "The animals on those approved holdings must have been kept in one of the EU approved territories for at least 90 days and must remain on the listed holding for at least 40 days prior to slaughter."
"If animals from non EU-authorised territories are introduced to a listed holding, another 90-day standstill is required for all animals on that holding.
"All animals on the listed holdings must be identified and registered in the national identification system for cattle".
Earlier the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, instructed officials from her Department to push for an outright ban on Brazilian beef imports with immediate effect.
Ms Coughlan said she had concerns over control measures associated with Brazilian beef especially "on issues such as traceability and tagging".
The president of the Irish Farmers Association, Padraig Walshe, said that only an outright ban will fully safeguard the European Union from the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease.
However, when speaking from Brussels Mr Walshe said that the restrictions decided upon for Brazil, particularly the requirement that all holdings for export to the EU must be approved and listed publicly, is "a significant step forward".
Mr Walshe also said the IFA campaign over the last two years highlighting the failure of Brazil to meet EU standards has been "fully vindicated".
