The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it is lifting the temporary hold on imports of processed beef and associated products from Brazil. This decision was made following a site visit to Brazil by animal health officials, who were able to review and analyze requested data to complete a bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk assessment. Upon reviewing this data, USDA was assured that Brazil has taken sound measures to prevent BSE and that the suspension on imports should be lifted. USDA, along with appropriate federal health agencies, has determined that there is no risk of BSE introduction associated with the import of Brazilian beef and beef products under the above conditions. There is no evidence of BSE in Brazil.
Imports are to resume immediately.
The Brazilian government has been very cooperative in this effort and we are pleased to announce this decision today.