EU Eases Import Controls on South America

The EU's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today 1 July) supported a European Commission proposal to allow imports of fresh meat from the additional areas in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, which are in a position to comply with EC import requirements.

Recently, the competent authorities of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay have made considerable efforts to improve the animal health situation in their respective countries, and in particular as regards foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Their efforts were recognised internationally by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and confirmed by recent Commission inspections.

In Argentina, a new region termed "Patagonia North B" and corresponding to parts of the provinces of Neuquén and Rio Negro has been allowed to export to the EU bone-in fresh meat from ovine, caprine, bovine and game animals following its recognition of free of FMD without vaccination by the OIE, and favourable Commission inspections.

Other regions of Argentina continue to be authorised for export to the EU of de-boned fresh meat from bovine animals and other farmed ruminants.

In Brazil, the States of Paraná and São Paulo have been authorised for export to the EU of de-boned and matured beef, following their recognition as free of FMD with vaccination by the OIE.

In 2005, those States were excluded from the list of the Brazilian territories allowed to export beef to the EU following outbreaks of FMD.

The special import requirements for Brazilian beef established with Decision 2008/61/EC limiting exports to meat obtained from animals from holdings approved by the Brazilian authorities will also apply to Paraná and São Paulo.

Paraguay has been authorised for export to the EU of de-boned and matured bovine meat, following its recognition as free of FMD with vaccination by the OIE and favourable Commission inspections.

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