Dominica And St. Lucia Implement Ban On Corned Beef From Brazil

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, March 23, 2017 (CMC) — Dominica and St. Lucia are two of the latest ‎Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states to announce a ban on the imports of corned beef from Brazil.

Dominica’s Director of Trade, Matthan J. Walter, in a release, today, said a joint decision was made following discussions with local stakeholders. Adding that 78 percent of the imports of corned beef comes from Brazil.

“Although we have not imported corned beef from Brazil since 2016, we believe that there may still be business places with corned beef from Brazil being sold and, as a result of which, the Environmental Health Unit will carry out investigations in the business places that have been identified,” it said.

He said a mandate has been given for distributors to remove corned beef in circulation as a matter of caution.

In the case of St. Lucia, although the island is not an importer of fresh and frozen beef, neither poultry nor poultry products from Brazil, it is estimated that approximately 90 percent of the corned beef imported originates from Brazil.

A government statement noted that since the commencement of the investigation, several countries have instituted measures to restrict their importation of meat and poultry products from Brazil.

In light of these developments, St. Lucia has, with immediate effect, imposed a‎ temporary suspension on the importation of corned beef from Brazil, the statement said.

Government has also announced the ‎detention of all corned beef originating from Brazil until further notice, and plans to ‎increase the surveillance of establishments that trade in corned beef or related products locally.

“We will continue networking with regional and sub-regional partner agencies in developing a common position in response to this matter,‎ while the Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to work with the Brazilian Authorities, with a view to ensuring that this matter is resolved satisfactorily in the interest of health and public safety,” the government statement noted.

Across the region, a ban on corned beef originating in Brazil, has been implemented in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and the British Virgin Islands.