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NCBA again calls for immediate halt to imports of Brazilian beef

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has again asked Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to take immediate action and suspend imports of beef from Brazil indefinitely. 

The request comes after Brazil failed to report another atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) within the 24-hour reporting requirement.  The case was first identified on January 18, 2023, and was confirmed on February 22, 2023. 

NCBA president Todd Wilkinson says the organization has asked the USDA to keep the border closed to Brazil until the country can demonstrate it can follow the trade rules that govern other nations.

NCBA says Brazil has a long history of failing to report BSE cases in a timely manner and previously sent a letter to the USDA in 2022 requesting a stoppage of Brazilian beef imports until a thorough audit of Brazil’s animal health and food safety system.   

NCBA, along with the US Cattlemen’s Association and R-CALF USA are supportive of bipartisan legislation that has been introduced that would halt imports of Brazilian beef.