USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said it would not be appropriate for the US to halt imports of Brazilian beef even though the country was late in reporting two atypical cases of BSE earlier this year.

“At this point in time, there isn't a scientific reason or basis” to halt trade, Vilsack told. He also noted there is a “misunderstanding” about the issues with Brazil.

Several lawmakers, including Democrats, have called for the halt of imports of Brazilian beef, calling on USDA to act.

“If we were to do that, then we would expose our own beef industry to significant restrictions worldwide under similar circumstances, which we don’t want to do,” Vilsack noted.

While atypical cases are not indicative of serious BSE problems in Brazil, some lawmakers argue that Brazil's delay in notifying cases raises questions about how they will respond to a BSE outbreak or outbreaks of other animal diseases.

Vilsack is relying on guidance from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), which does not call for such a ban on atypical cases of BSE – those that occur spontaneously at low rates and do not pose a threat to other animals.

Source: meatinfo