The Ulster Farmers' Union says the latest EU Veterinary Report on the Brazilian beef industry has left the image of the Brazilian industry in tatters.
The UFU has criticized the EU Commission for only publishing the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) Inspection Report now, when it actually was carried out last November.
The Report highlights glaring failures in holding registration, animal identif
ication and movement controls. The UFU says double standards will not be tolerated. The EU Report highlighted that animals from non-approved areas were able to move for slaughter for export to the EU. This now in effect rules out the Regional approach to exports from Brazil which has been advocated by the EU Commission. This approach clearly could not be policed.
The UFU says the 95 farms which are currently allowed to export will now have to be scrutinized very closely. UFU Beef and Lamb Chairman William Taylor said; "The more evidence that emerges from Brazil, the more the campaign for a complete ban on imports is vindicated".
Irregularities discovered in Brazil included:
o Lack of animal traceability;
o 22 holdings where Foot and Mouth Disease was present but not reported;
o Animals moving without restriction between FMD regions;
o The number of vaccinated animals not tallying with the number of vaccines purchased;
o Hundreds of animals slaughtered but still recorded on the Government information system as alive.
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