The Brazilian industry is expecting a positive outcome of the EU veterinary inspection performed three weeks ago on the Brazilian Cattle Traceability System (SISBOV). A final report is expected to be released during March.
According to the EU Directorate of Animal Health, no major flaws in the system were found. In addition, the directorate expects an average of 100 Brazilian farms to be approved by authorities on a monthly basis during 2009 (currently Brazilian authorities are certified to recommend to the EU the farms that meet the established criteria).
Brazil currently has around 1,000 establishments approved by the EU, which represent roughly 200,000 animals of the total 970,000 head registered in SISBOV. At the current pace, it is not expected that Brazil will be able to return to pre ban volumes to the EU in 2009.
However, there is optimism in the industry, as Brazilian exporters and the government want to negotiate an extra 8,000 tonnes of Hilton cuts quota within three years, in addition to the current 5,000 tonnes. Also, the National Agriculture Confederation aims to increase the number of states approved to the EU (Brazil’s highest value market) from 8 to 16 – all of which are recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health as foot and mouth disease free with vaccination.
