Pressure is mounting on the Government to take precautionary action over Brazilian meat imports following the EU ban which came into force on 3 September.

The Chair of Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Alistair Carmichael MP, has now added his voice to concerns already raised by BMPA and other industry organisations, writing to Defra Secretary Angela Eagle and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds calling for urgent action.

The Committee’s intervention closely echoes the issues BMPA has been raising with Government. In particular, it warns of the risk of Brazilian meat previously destined for the EU being diverted onto the UK market, potentially putting domestic producers at a competitive disadvantage. It also highlights the complications that divergence from the EU could create for UK-EU trade and movements into Northern Ireland, including where Brazilian beef is incorporated into processed products.

Importantly, the Committee acknowledges that the EU’s action does not itself constitute a finding that Brazilian beef is unsafe. Rather, the issue is whether sufficient assurances are currently in place to demonstrate compliance with antimicrobial requirements. On that basis, it argues that there is a strong case for a precautionary approach until full confidence has been established. That reflects BMPA’s position and we have suggested measures that Defra and the CVO could take now that would provide protection for the UK market while allowing the Government’s more detailed assessment to continue.

Carmichael has also raised the issue directly in Parliament. Following an exchange with the Prime Minister, he said the response was “concerning in some respects”, arguing that the issue extends beyond the economics of cheap imports and requires urgent Government attention.

The need for a decision has become more pressing now that the EU ban is in force. Brazil has responded by warning that it could introduce reciprocal measures against the EU if negotiations to resolve the dispute fail to produce a satisfactory outcome, raising the prospect of the issue developing into a wider trade dispute.

For the UK, however, the immediate question remains whether it is sensible to continue accepting Brazilian meat while Defra is still carrying out the assessment needed to establish that the appropriate assurances are in place.

BMPA will continue pressing Government for urgent precautionary action and will update members as the situation develops. Kevin White from The Grocer has a write up of the latest developments.