Brazil set to build bridges with EU over poultry import ban
Brazil agriculture minister Blairo Maggi said the country would leave behind “reactive behaviour” after having discussions with the South American country’s foreign minister Aloysio Nunes.
The call came after the European Commission blocked poultry imports from BRF slaughterhouses, which in turn followed an investigation by authorities into the Brazilian meat firm over an alleged cover-up of salmonella at its plants and laboratories.
At the time, Maggi made some strong statements on the EU’s decision to restrict poultry imports, describing the move as an “EU trade war”.
At the end of April, ministers at Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade (Camex) authorised proceedings to open litigation with the World Trade Organization (WTO), in order to contest the barriers imposed by the EU on poultry.
However, Maggi added that slaughterhouse delisting still had stages to overcome before the ban could be reversed. He pointed out that, despite a visit from European technicians in January, they had still not sent a report with information on the outcome of the visit.
“They made a big foray into the country, visited several refrigerators, several farms and the impression they left us was very positive compared to a previous mission,” said Maggi.
Brazil is attempting to improve relationships with key international markets following the corruption scandal that significantly rocked the country’s trade relations.
