Kyprianou Pressed Again on Brazilian Beef
09 October 2007
Today in the Agriculture Committee Jim Allister MEP pressed Commissioner Kyprianou on continuing imports of Brazilian beef. The Commissioner had been called to appear before the committee to answer deep-seated concerns about his inaction despite animal health failures in Brazil. After 45 minutes of an address by the Commissioner avoiding the kernel of the issue, Mr Allister put it strongly to him as to what were the shortcomings, deficiencies and shortfalls in animal identification and control of animal movements which the March 07 FVO inspection had identified and why, since such existed, were EU consumers being subjected to Brazilian imports resulting from such a position.
Commissioner Kyprianou confirmed that the next FVO inspection in Brazil will be in mid-November and that the final FVO report from the March 07 visit will be published in late November or early December.
Commenting Mr Allister said:-
"The more I listen to Commissioner Kypianou, the more I am convinced that the trade implications of taking on a large exporter like Brazil is the over-riding reason for the Commission's inaction. If this was some small country the Commission would have acted far sooner. In consequence I continue to believe that risks are being taken with the health of EU consumers so as not to upset South America in the context of the WTO negotiations. It is a case of trade rules over health."
ENDS
