Brazil-China: beef shipments halted after confirmation of two instances of mad cow disease

The agricultural ministry of Brazil announced on Saturday that Brazil, the world's largest beef exporter, has stopped beef shipments to China after confirming two instances of "atypical" mad cow disease in two different domestic meat factories. According to the government, the instances were discovered at meat factories in the states of Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais. These were the fourth and fifth instances of "atypical" cow diseases to be discovered in Brazil in the past 23 years.    

As a part of animal health agreement between China and Brazil, the suspension takes effect immediately and it is intended to give Beijing time to assess the situation, the ministry said. China will then determine when it will resume with the imports.    

According to the report, "atypical" mad cow disease is unrelated to consuming contaminated foods and it usually develops on its own. Moreover, there has never been a case of "classic" mad cow disease in Brazil.    

After samples were submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) facility in Alberta, Canada, the two instances were verified on Friday, according to the ministry. Moreover, the OIE was notified of the two instances in accordance with international standards. Nevertheless, there was no danger to animal or human health, according to the ministry.    

Given that China and Hong Kong consume more than half of Brazil's beef exports, the suspension is a huge setback for Brazilian farmers. Brazilian government is hoping that the ban will be removed as soon as possible, since one of the major drivers of the country's long-lagging economy is its strong agricultural industry and China is Brazil's most important trading partner, purchasing huge amounts of its goods.    

 

Source:  

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/beef-giant-brazil-halts-china-exports-after-confirming-two-mad-cow-disease-cases-2021-09-04/