Iran lifts ban on Brazilian beef

Iran has lifted the embargo on beef from the state of Mato Grosso, reported the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply on Monday (Aug 25).

The ban had been imposed in May on account of an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the mad cow disease.

Iran’s and Brazil’s Agriculture Ministers Mahmoud Hojjati and Neri Geller met in Iran to discuss the topic. Geller explained that the animal under consideration was an isolated case and did not pose any risk to either the animal’s health or public health. The embargo only affected the state of Mato Grosso, and meat exports from other Brazilian states to Iran have not been interrupted. This year alone, 51 million kilos of beef have been exported from Brazil to Iran, totaling $238 million.

During the meeting, Geller presented to Iranian authorities proposals for international sanitary certificates which may open the future market for living cattle, fertile eggs and bovine genetic material from Brazil headed for the Middle Eastern country. Another outcome of the meeting was the creation of a work group aimed at discussing agricultural cooperation between the two countries. Apart from beef, Brazil exports to Iranians soy and chicken.

After his visit to Iran, Geller is expected to go to Egypt, where another gathering is to take place with the latter country’s agriculture minister on Thursday (28). The debate this time should also concern the ban on beef from Mato Grosso.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira