Monday, February 4, 2008

Brazil blasts beef ban

The Brazilian government is none too happy over a ban on its beef to be exported to the European Union (E.U.). Acting foreign minister Ruy Nogueira claimed that E.U.’s decision was “unjustified and discriminatory regarding perfectly qualified farms,” while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva claimed hypocrisy:

"They have the (mad) cow disease there and are making complaints here," the president told a meeting of press and cattle breeders. The gathering was also attended by Andre Puricelli, governor of Mato Grosso do Sul state, one of the biggest beef producing states in the country.

The E.U.’s edict came due to anxiety over recent problems with foot-and-mouth in Brazilian cattle. European farmers such as those in Ireland were pleased with the E.U.’S decision to bar all Brazilian meat.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, AFP, Forbes.com, Xinhua

Image- BBC News

1 comment:

Big Yellow Forehead said...

The E.U. is a riot. They're awful bold to snub their noses at the Brazilians when their cows are walking around delirious.