During Lula's trip to Japan, Brazil wants to guarantee a mission to open the beef market

By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - The Brazilian government will take advantage of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's visit to Japan at the end of the month to push for a health mission to the country that could lead to the opening of the Japanese beef market to Brazil, the Secretary for Asia and the Pacific of the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. One of the largest meat import markets in the world, Japan is currently closed to Brazil due to health restrictions. With the country's declaration as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination, the government and Brazilian producers expect this situation to change. "Brazil has been improving its health conditions for many years. Today it is a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination, which should already allow us to have access to the Japanese market, but it depends on several procedures, including a health mission to assess risk," said Ambassador Eduardo Sabóia. There is no expectation that the ...