The European Union is to enforce a temporary ban on the importation of all Brazilian beef from tomorrow until a list of approved farms which meet EU import requirements is compiled.
The move follows a decision in December to enforce a partial ban which would see imports allowed from approved farms.
Ireland opposed a partial ban to vote in favour of a total ban on Brazilian beef.
EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou told a news conference today that while there was no list of approved farms that "there will be no holdings authorised to export to the EU".
"But of course this can change in the next few days. But yes as of Jan. 31 the will be no list," he said.
Checking each holding would be a lengthy process, he said.
The list of approved farms will be established on the basis of information to be communicated by the competent authorities in Brazil. The Food and Veterinary Office will carry out inspections to verify that all EU requirements are met.
A European Commission source said today that around 300 Brazilian holdings, or 3 per cent of ranchers, were expected to be given permits to export beef to the 27-member bloc.
Kyprianou said that had been the original plan but that Brazil came up with too many proposed farms for the authorised list and that the EU would need more time to check them.
"We had envisaged roughly around 300 holdings being allowed to export into the EU, based on previous inspections and information form the Brazilians," he said.
"The Brazilians however have now come forward with a greater list which of course then means we have to take more time," he added.
The President of the Irish Farmers Association, Padraig Walshe, welcomed the ban saying Commissioner Kyprianou had "no option but to apply a full ban as Brazil had failed to comply with EU requirements".
Mr Walshe said this had come about as a result of a "determined 2-year campaign" by the IFA in highlighting the failure of Brazil to meet EU standards.
Brazil is the world's largest exporter of beef with estimated foreign sales of $4.2 billion in 2007.
Additional reporting: Reuters