Saudi Arabia withdraws the embargo on 5 slaughterhouses in Brazil that were suspended after mad cow disease

The health authority of Saudi Arabia (SFDA) lifted the embargo that had been imposed on five Brazilian slaughterhouses since September 6, after a case of the "mad cow" disease in Minas Gerais, the state in which the plants are located, according to the agency document seen by Reuters. Now the SFDA list, dated Thursday, indicates that the five units have active status, that is, they are authorized to ship beef to the Arab country, they are: Plena Alimentos, in Pará de Minas; MaxiBeef Carnes, in Carlos Chagas; Dimeza Food, in Count; and the Supremo Carnes units in Campo Belo and Ibirité. The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture confirmed to Reuters that the Saudi government has lifted the blockade. Data from the Abiec meat exporters association show that Saudi Arabia ranks ninth among the biggest buyers of Brazilian beef protein. In addition to a case in Minas Gerais, the Brazilian government has also identified another in Mato Grosso, both atypical – when the disease spontaneously ...