USDA Reaches Agreement to Reopen Beef Exports to Brazil
The Department of Agriculture announced Monday the reopening of Brazil for U.S. beef exports. USDA says the agency reached an agreement with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture to allow access for U.S. beef and beef products to the Brazilian market for the first time since 2003. Brazil’s action, according to USDA, reflects the United States’ negligible risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (in-sef-o-lop-athy), commonly known as mad cow disease. Since last year alone, USDA has eliminated BSE-related restrictions in 16 countries, regaining market access for U.S. beef and “pumping hundreds-of-millions of dollars into the American economy,” according to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack says the Brazilian market offers excellent long-term potential for U.S. beef exporters.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.