Brazilian beef is the target of protectionism and misinformation in the US, says CNA

Producers in the United States adopt a protectionist posture in relation to Brazilian meat or are uninformed about the quality of this product. The statement is from the CNA (Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil) in response to the request NCBA, the powerful federation of North American producers, to prevent the entry of Brazilian meat in the country

In a statement released this Friday (19), the CNA states that Brazil has complied with all the procedures of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) to deal with the two atypical cases of mad cow in the country and there is no technical basis for the proposed restriction. by the NCBA (United States Meat Producers Association).

The attempted boycott of the Brazilian product was anticipated by the Commodities’ Vaivém column sheet.

The mobilization in the United States takes place after China suspended shipments from Brazil, in an action that surprised the Brazilian government and national producers.

In an attempt to prevent the importation of Brazilian meat, the NCBA claims that Brazil is not quick to communicate health problems to the OIE. The entity cites the two atypical cases of mad cow that occurred in Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso.

The atypical mad cow develops in the animal’s body, spontaneously, especially in older ones. In this case, the risk of contagion is limited. The typical mad ditch, in turn, can be developed from the ingestion of contaminated food (especially those of animal origin, which is prohibited in Brazil), which creates a risk for the entire herd.

In the note, the CNA reaffirms that there was no case of typical form of mad cow in Brazil, so much so that the OIE did not notify the country of any irregularity. The CNA also reinforces that, thanks to the work of the Brazilian government, the country has a strong health defense system and is a zone free of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.

“Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef, selling the product in natura to more than 100 countries. This number reinforces the assertion that we comply with all the sanitary requirements established by the countries that import our product.”

The CNA also states that there has never been any typical case of mad cow, unlike the USA, which had three cases of the disease in 2003, 2005 and 2012.

Read the note in full.

With regard to the request from the United States Meat Producers Association (NCBA), forwarded to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent the entry of Brazilian meat into the North American market, we have to:

Brazil has never had any cases of the typical form of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mad cow disease;

Brazilian legislation prohibits the use of any animal protein for bovine feed, the only cause of disease contamination by animals;

Unlike Brazil, the United States had three typical cases of the disease in 2003, 2005 and 2012;

In relation to atypical cases of mad cow, Brazil complied with all the procedures required by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE);

The OIE did not notify Brazil of any irregular action committed by national health authorities;

Brazil has a strong health defense system, thanks to the work of the Brazilian government, together with rural producers. The work is recognized by the OIE itself, which in recent years has granted Brazil the status of a zone free of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and an insignificant risk for mad cows;

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef, selling the product in natura to more than 100 countries. This number reinforces the assertion that we comply with all the sanitary requirements established by the countries that import our product.

Given this context, we understand that either the NCBA is uninformed or adopts a protectionist posture with an economic bias and without any sanitary character.

The CNA condemns any arbitrary measure that goes against the pillars of international trade. Thus, it repudiates the conduct adopted by the American entity.