US meat exports expected to resume in 60 days

The United States is expected to resume purchases of Brazilian meat in the next 60 days. The forecast is by Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi, who met with US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in Washington this Monday (17).

“The result was better than expected. The commitment was made that exports will return as soon as possible, once things are clear. There is no political objection on behalf of the US Secretary," Maggi said of the meeting.

Because of health concerns, the US has decided to suspend imports of Brazilian meat. To reopen the market to the product, the US government has indicated a number of changes necessary to ensure the meat is suitable.

To achieve that purpose, Ministry of Agriculture technicians have been in the country since last Thursday, to settle arrangements that must be made in Brazil's national production. One of the actions adopted was to stop sending exports of forequarter meats (where vaccines are applied and in which the reactions were observed).

“I am sure that the changes we have made are technically acceptable and greatly change the previous level. So I'm excited because I know they will be recognised by the US technicians," said the minister.

Maggi also assured that the country has changed its meat cuts to avoid that boned pieces be placed in the foreign market, since countries free of foot-and-mouth disease do not export products with bones. "There is equipment in the meatpacking plants that can detect that. Every box goes through a scanner," he added.

After US inspections of Brazilian fresh meat imports identified abscesses in the pieces sent to the country, the Brazilian government suspended exports from five meatpackers to correct the flaw. For safety purposes, the US government preferred to suspend imports from Brazil. Those are now expected to be resumed.

Agreements

After more than 17 years of negotiation, last September, Brazil obtained the "letter of equivalence" of the US government in relation to the Brazilian health protection system. As a result, 15 meatpacking plants were authorised to export fresh beef to the country.