Brazil has won wide access to the world’s largest beef market after China recognized the entire country as foot-and-mouth disease-free, although the new standard will still reduce prices.
After a risk analysis, Beijing lifted the lockdown in northern Brazil and declared the entire country free of the disease, according to China’s announcement. The action was set for May 29 and made public on Tuesday.
The decision overturns Chinese decisions from 2002, 2005 and 2009. The last of those had treated only Santa Catarina and a group of other states as free of the disease.
The World Organization for Animal Health certified Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination about a year ago, after the national herd went 12 months without vaccination.
