Brazil halts beef exports to China due to mad cow disease

The alarm was raised by two cases of "atypical" bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) at two separate meat processing plants.

The agriculture ministry said last week that Brazil had suspended beef exports to China after confirming two cases of "atypical" bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) at two separate domestic meat processing plants. Brazil is the world's largest exporter of beef, while China is its main buyer, purchasing more than half of the country's beef exports. The suspension, which is part of an animal health pact agreed between China and Brazil to give Beijing time to analyze the problem, begins immediately, the ministry said in a statement. It added that China would decide for itself when to start importing again.

According to the ministry, cases have been identified in meat processing plants in the states of Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais. It is also reported that these are the fourth and fifth cases of "atypical" mad cow disease found in Brazil in 23 years.

"Atypical" mad cow disease develops spontaneously and is not associated with eating contaminated foods. Brazil has never had a case of "classic" mad cow disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Two cases were confirmed on Friday after samples were sent to the Health Laboratory (OIE) in Alberta, Canada. Subsequently, the OIE was informed of two cases in accordance with international standards. The ministry said there was no danger to animal or human health.