Faced with the confirmation of a case of bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (evil of the mad“vaca”) in a 9-year-old male animal in a small property in the municipality of Maraba (PA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) has been adopting all government measures to ensure the quality of Brazilian meat.

Sanitary Measures

The report was made to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OMSA) and the samples were sent to the reference laboratory of the institution in Alberta, Canada, which can confirm whether the case is atypical. The animal, raised on pasture, without feed, was slaughtered and its carcass incinerated on site. The Brazilian official veterinary service is conducting epidemiological research that may be continued or terminated according to the result.

Quality Assurance

“All measures are being adopted immediately at each stage of the investigation and the matter is being treated with total transparency to ensure Brazilian and global consumers the recognized quality of our meat”, said the minister Carlos Favaro.

Impacts on Foreign Trade

Following the official sanitary protocol, exports to China will be temporarily suspended from this Thursday (23). However, dialogue with the authorities is being intensified to demonstrate all information and the prompt restoration of trade in Brazilian meat.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) has taken all appropriate measures to ensure the quality of Brazilian meat, to give transparency to the case and to promote the restoration of meat exports. The Mapa will continue to monitor and communicate the results of epidemiological research to the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) and the responsible authorities.