Brazil says U.S. will allow fresh Brazilian beef imports
SAO PAULO/BRASILIA, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Friday that the United States had reopened its market for Brazilian fresh beef exports, effective immediately.
The United States had halted imports of Brazilian fresh beef in June 2017, alleging that some shipments failed to pass food safety checks.
Brazil is one of the world’s largest beef producers, exporting $7.3 billion in fresh and industrialised beef products last year, according to Brazilian government statistics.
“We were waiting for this news for some time and today we were fortunate to receive it,” Dias said on Twitter.
The measure will take effect immediately. But there are some necessary steps to be completed, including the Brazilian government sending a list of beef packers approved to export to the United States, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
“There is no communication saying, ‘Look, tomorrow you can produce and export,’” said the exporter, who asked not to be named.
“It is a great step, but they need to be clearer in their communications.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had no immediate comment.