The Minister of Agriculture, Blairo Maggi. reaffirmed that Brazil will use the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the delisting of Brazilian meatpacking exporters to the European Union.
“I have indicated how we are treated within export quotas. Our complaint is that the European Community says it is a health issue, but if Brazil pays a tariff of 1,024 euros per ton and sends everything as fresh meat, it goes without any problem. So it’s not a health issue. And that is what we are going to complain about in the WTO, “the minister said.
According to the ministry, by paying the extra-quota fee, the salmonellas health requirements are reduced from 2600 kinds of bacteria to two.
The panel at the WTO, according to the minister, will serve to discuss quotas. “We are being penalized. There is a market protection that we do not want to accept any more. Let’s fight for space as the world market advocates, which should be free between countries. ” He said he was sure that “we are correct in this case and that the European Community is wrong. We can repair this and receive a treatment as Brazil needs. “
The impact of the EU decision must be large and will have to be replaced, he said. But, Maggi recalled that the affected establishments also sell to the domestic market, Asian markets in Mexico, in various places in the world.