USDA Stops Brazilian Fresh Beef Imports

USDA Stops Brazilian Fresh Beef Imports

Last week USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that USDA will halt imports of fresh Brazilian beef. Since March, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has been inspecting all of the meat products which have arrived in the United States from Brazil. FSIS has refused entry to 11 percent of the Brazilian fresh beef products. That 11 percent is considerably higher than the rejection rate of 1 percent of the shipments from the rest of the world.

Washington Cattle Feeders Executive Director Jack Field says that his organization was one of many in the the beef industry that shared their concerns.

Field: "This is a great signal that demonstrates the fact that USDA clearly heard the concerns of producers and industry organizations. They are implementing a program that does work. The halt of the import of the product is exactly what was suppose should something like this occur. So this is a very positive signal. We are very appreciate of the work of USDA and of Secretary Perdue to stop the import and ensure we can protect the safety of our domestic food supply and ensure that we have a high quality product for our consumers."

Brazil's meat industry has been in turmoil this year since the investigation of a corruption scheme that allowed tainted meant to pass in-country inspections.

This suspension will remain in place until the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture takes corrective action which USDA finds satisfactory.

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