Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has expressed concern at the regulations that currently control the import of Brazilian beef into the EU.

Despite a report by the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), which found Brazilian slaughterhouses and farm holdings to have acceptable hygiene levels earlier this year, NFU officials believes more needs to be done to ensure high standards are met.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh commented that the safety of Brazilian beef could still be open to question due to issues concerning animal identification.

He said: "I take little comfort from the findings of the FVO mission and I still have serious concerns about the safety of Brazilian beef."

The expert added that the food safety measures adopted by the British cattle industry must also be applied to those exporting beef to the EU.

NFU officials are now urging the FVO to reassess its findings to ensure safety levels are maintained.

The UK government this week announced a package of measures designed to see how the country can improve its food supplies over the coming decades, in relation to things like imports.