Longford MEP slams EU chief as 'hormone-contaminated' Brazilian beef enters EU food chain

The European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi has been questioned by Longford MEP Ciarán Mullooly about recent shipments of hormone contaminated Brazillian beef, during the AGRI Committee today in Brussels.

Speaking on the revelation by the Commissioner on the strategic nature of recent shipments of hormone laced Brazilian beef, MEP Mullooly commented that, "this is an extraordinary and deeply concerning admission by the European Commission".

"It confirms that beef imported into the European Union under existing trade arrangements has the potential to pose a direct risk to consumer health," he added.

Mr Mullooly said Commissioner acknowledged that this situation is unacceptable.

He further indicated that, in his view, this was a "Strategically organised breach, as the consignment of beef arrived in several entry points", and that the Brazilian Minister was contacted to suspend certification of the organisation and farms involved.

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Ciaran Mullooly MEP said that, "This will come a little consolation to Irish and EU farmers who must uphold the highest beef standards.

"I have been raising this issue consistently for months, warning that systemic weaknesses in Brazil’s production and certification processes risk undermining EU food safety standards.

"I have repeatedly cautioned that the proposed Mercosur agreement would significantly increase these risks by expanding the volume of beef imports into the EU."

The Midlands North West MEP said that, "this situation now takes on added urgency. Within weeks, provisional application of the Mercosur agreement is expected, yet the Commission is simultaneously acknowledging, based on audit findings, that there is a credible risk to human health".

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Mr Mullooly further commented that, "Proceeding under these circumstances defies logic. The provisional application of the agreement must be paused until the EU can guarantee, with full certainty, that beef imports from Brazil comply with EU standards and do not pose any risk to consumers."