Allister reiterates call for ban on Brazilian beef
05 September 2007
Today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Jim Allister MEP was among the panel of MEPs who spoke out at a press conference calling for a ban on Brazilian beef imports into the European Union. Brazilian beef imports are currently prohibited from crossing the borders of various countries, including Japan, New Zealand, Australia and South Korea, yet are still considered by the European Commission to be safe enough for European citizens.
Speaking at the conference today, Jim Allister remarked:-
"I find it inexplicable that beef coming from Brazil, which is banned from being imported to various markets across the globe, should be allowed to enter our domestic market with impunity. The health and safety standards which we apply to our own farmers, should equally be required of those from whom we import, otherwise the threat to food security is obvious. The health of European consumer is no less important than that of the American citizen, so why should we allow Europeans to eat what Americans reject?
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Europe from imported South American beef would be catastrophic, both in terms of our food industry and the cost to the European taxpayer of dealing with the aftermath. We can't afford to take the risks presently posed by the Commission's complacent approach.
I look forward to this initiative in the European Parliament maximising the pressure on Commissioner Kyprianou to act."
