A UK Government decision to maintain import barriers for Brazilian meat products is holding up progress on a trade deal, according to the team of Brazil’s new president-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Ministers set out plans for an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) with Brazil in February, when Bolsonaro was in power, but progress on negotiations has been slow and is not set to speed up under the new administration.
A member of Lula’s team toldThe Independent: “In our view, the proposals being made by the UK are unbalanced and unfair in their current form.
“They want access to the financial market, IT and education, yet there are barriers to the import of Brazilian meat products, especially beef. They seem to have EU regulations in place despite Brexit.”
Earlier this year,Farmers Guardianreported that the Brazilian Government was unhappy the UK would not lift its ban on the import of hormone-treated beef, or allow meat packers to benefit from ‘pre-listing’, where exports are approved without the need for inspection.
The EU did have a pre-listing system in place with Brazil, but it was suspended in 2017 after some of the country’s biggest meat processors, including JBS and BRF, were found to be selling rotten beef and poultry.
Farm groups across the UK have welcomed the UK Government’s position.
Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn said: “If it is indeed the case that the UK Government is blocking Brazilian beef entering the UK market because of concerns over standards of production, including in respect of the environment and animal welfare, the TFA would congratulate the Government on taking that stance.
“We would encourage the Government not to weaken its resolved merely to gain market access for UK exports. Any standards which apply at home must also apply at our borders, otherwise, what is the point of them at all?”
Farmers Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts echoed these remarks, adding: “We are clear it is essential for the UK Government to refocus its trade policies and negotiations, such that the UK’s long-term food security is given the focus it deserves.
“Protecting our beef in this instance is critical.”
