Brazilian slaughterhouses temporarily barred from exporting beef to China were notified and are taking corrective measures to meet the requirements of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) reported. According to Agro Estadão, among the problems detected by the Chinese government were traces of tick repellent in a shipment from one of the companies, the relabeling of a container of meat, and the use of unsuitable knives. The list of suspended Brazilian slaughter plants includes a JBS facility in Mozarlândia (GO), a Frisa facility in Nanuque (MG), and a Bon-Mart facility in Presidente Prudente (SP).
In a clarifying statement, Mapa noted that Brazil currently has 126 authorized slaughter plants. “When we took over, there were 12 suspended plants. We reinstated those 12 and opened another 43. Therefore, it is not logical for three suspended plants to affect trade relations,” Minister Carlos Fávaro stated in the release.
Mapa did not provide a deadline for shipments to resume. However, a source linked to the beef sector and involved in the negotiations told Agro Estadão that the expectation is for shipments to resume in about 30 days.
