Six new Brazilian states will be able to export matured, deboned beef without lymph nodes to Canada. The authorization will allow for an increase in total protein shipments to the North American country, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa).
Canada approved the import of beef from regions recently recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as foot-and-mouth disease-free zones without the need for vaccination.
Thus, the states of Acre, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Rondônia, as well as 14 municipalities in Amazonas and five in Mato Grosso, are now authorized to export beef to Canada.
The expansion of the area occurs after intense bilateral discussions since the opening of the Canadian market to Brazilian protein in 2022. At the time, the protocol required that the exported meat be from areas with animals vaccinated in the last 12 months.
Santa Catarina, which had already had international recognition as a disease-free zone without vaccination for years, remains eligible to trade. Export certificates will need to be updated to ensure compliance with the established requirements.
“The CFIA’s [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] decision represents an important milestone for the Brazilian agricultural sector and reinforces the importance of our ranchers’ continuous commitment to sanitary standards,” said Mapa’s Secretary of Trade and International Relations, Roberto Perosa.
Brazil exported about 8,200 tonnes of beef to Canada in 2023, an increase of 18% compared to 2022, according to data released by Mapa.