The European Union banned imports from 20 Brazilian meat plants previously listed as approved suppliers. A European Commission statement reported the ban was prompted by “deficiencies detected in the Brazilian official control system.”

The companies affected ship about a third of all meat exports, mostly poultry, to the EU. Brazilian authorities had investigated nine plants operated by top processor BRF SA before allowing them to continue exports; BRF SA operates 12 of the 20 plants placed under the announced EU ban.

Brazil, already chafing over trade barriers like poultry import quotas, may challenge the new ban before the WTO, arguing that it is merely backdoor protectionism hidden behind claims of phytosanitary requirements.

Chicken farm, Itaiopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Source: 123RF.com
Posted by: Information Services
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