Saudi Arabia suspends purchases from 5 meatpacking plants in Brazil after “mad cow disease” cases

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The two atypical “mad cow” disease cases registered in Brazil this month led Saudi Arabia to suspend beef exports from 5 Brazilian meatpacking plants.

Brazil was notified of the suspension by the agricultural attaché in Riyadh, capital of the Arab country, on September 9, with effect from September 6. “The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) reports that the suspension has been published by Saudi Arabia. Yes, the reason is related to BSE [Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mad cow disease],” the Ministry confirmed.

The measure differs from that taken on September 4, when the Brazilian government voluntarily suspended beef exports to China, as determined by the countries’ bilateral trade protocol. In this case, the initiative came from the Saudis.

With respect to China, there is still no forecast of when shipments will be reestablished. “The Chinese authorities are assessing the technical data sent by Brazil. There is no deadline set,” the Ministry said.

With no risk to the herd, the sector wants the protocol revised to prevent economic losses with the suspension of exports to Brazil’s main beef buyer. “There are ongoing negotiations with the Chinese authorities to update some items in the protocol. But it is under review by the Chinese side,” the Ministry concluded.

Saudi Arabia in May suspended the purchase of poultry meat from 11 Brazilian meatpacking plants, a decision that angered the Brazilian government and removed Seara from the market, owned by JBS.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, “meetings are being held, but there is still no forecast regarding the lifting of suspensions.”

In a statement in May, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Foreign Ministry threatened to take the case to the World Trade Organization (WTO), if undue trade barriers were to be found.