Brazilian beef giant halts Chinese exports after confirming two cases of mad cow disease

SAO PAULO, Sept. 4 (Reuters) – Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of beef, has suspended beef exports to its No. 1 customer China after confirming two cases of “atypical” mad cow disease on two separate domestic meat plants, the agriculture ministry said on Saturday.

The suspension, which is part of an animal health pact agreed between China and Brazil and is designed to allow Beijing time to take stock of the problem, begins immediately, the ministry said in a statement. He added that China will decide when to start importing again.

The suspension is a major blow to Brazilian farmers: China and Hong Kong buy more than half of Brazilian beef exports.

The cases were identified in meat plants in the states of Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais, the ministry said. They were said to be the fourth and fifth cases of “atypical” mad cow disease to be detected in Brazil in 23 years.

He said “atypical” mad cow disease develops spontaneously and is not related to the consumption of contaminated food. Brazil has never had a case of “classic” mad cow disease, he said.

Both cases were confirmed Friday after samples were sent to the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) laboratory in Alberta, Canada, according to the ministry. Subsequently, the OIE had been informed of the two cases, in compliance with international standards, according to the ministry.

The ministry said there was no risk to animal or human health.

The Brazilian government will wait for the suspension to be lifted quickly. The powerful agro-industrial sector of the country is one of the main drivers of its long economy. China is Brazil’s main trading partner and buys large quantities of commodities.

Reports of Nayara Figueiredo in Sao Paulo Writing by Gabriel Stargardter Edited by Matthew Lewis

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