In May, a U.S. technical delegation will visit Brazil to inspect beef processing plants as part of a routine audit under the sanitary inspection equivalence agreement between the two nations, Valor International reported.
The U.S. is Brazil’s second-largest market for beef exports. The audit, led by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, will evaluate Brazil’s overall export system rather than individual companies. Facilities operated by major exporters, such as JBS, Marfrig and Minerva, may be included.
According to Roberto Perosa, president of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, these audits, previously conducted in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022, have not resulted in penalties or compliance issues. The inspections focus on technical and laboratory standards to ensure ongoing compliance with trade regulations. Perosa said Brazil’s meat industry welcomes the audit, expressing confidence in its inspection system and adherence to international food safety standards.
