Channel NewsAsia 31 Jan 08;
SINGAPORE: Singapore has no plans to impose a ban on beef from Brazil even though half of its beef supply comes from Brazil.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) was responding to Channel NewsAsia following reports that the European Union had placed a blanket ban on beef from Brazil.
The EU’s decision was taken after Brazil failed to provide sufficient guarantees on the meat that it's exporting is safe.
However, AVA said that it has a system in place to ensure a safe food supply, that's in line with international practices.
This involves a stringent process of regular reviews, accreditation and inspection of source farms, abattoirs and food-processing factories, among other measures.
Concerns were raised last November on Brazil's health and traceability systems and Brazilian authorities came up with a list of 2,600 farms which they said, deserved to be exempt from the export ban.
Such a massive list was unacceptable to the European authorities and hence the blanket ban was imposed.
Brazil has slammed the decision, arguing that its beef presented no risk to humans or animals.
It also blamed the EU’s decision on tough European regulations imposed, in the wake of Britain's ‘mad cow’ disease epidemic.
Brazil is the world's biggest beef exporter, accounting for a third of total exports. -CNA/vm
