Brazilian beef "should be banned immediately", the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has said.

The ICMSA said that the "period of grace" for Brazil to "get its house in order" on antimicrobial use in beef is "stunning".

The European Commission has said Brazil will be able to resume exports to the EU once it shows "compliance" with restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.

The commission yesterday (Tuesday, May 12) confirmed that Brazil will no longer be authorised to export a range of animal products to the EU from September.

This follows a vote by member states on an updated list of third countries authorised to export food-producing animals and animal products to the EU.

'Absurdities'

ICMSA president Denis Drennan has described the announcement as "stunning" and is the "latest link in the chain of absurdities and inconsistencies that is the EU’s attitude to beef imports from South America".

"The very first thing to note here is that the excessive use of antimicrobials in Brazilian beef is just a matter of record – and it was a matter of record that could have been easily checked and verified at any stage over the last 20 years," Drennan said.

“A no less pressing matter is why the Brazilians are being given until September to get their house in order when the same level of antimicrobials in EU-produced food would have the whole lot rejected by the processor and destroyed.

"The farmer would get zero payment followed by further regulatory checks by the department."

Drennan said that while the "very belated acknowledgment" of the issue is welcome, he said Brazilian beef "should be banned immediately - and stay banned - until such time that they can prove that they are meeting the required standards" on antimicrobials.

Brazilian food products

Sinn Féin TD and party spokesperson on agriculture and food, Martin Kenny, said it is welcome news from the commission that it has decided to ban imports of Brazilian beef.

However, the deputy said: "The question must be asked, why wait until September 3? This ban should be implemented immediately.

"Over 1,000 tonnes of Brazilian food products, mainly beef, have entered Ireland already this year.

“This ban on Brazilian beef should be implemented immediately."