The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting its routine bi-annual inspection of Brazil's livestock health system in May, focusing on the official Brazilian service and slaughterhouses that export beef to the U.S. This inspection is part of the process to assess and maintain the compliance of the export system, targeting the documentation, inspection process, and potentially visiting specific slaughterhouses for logistical reasons. This action does not signal any punitive measures or non-compliance issues but aims to ensure the technical and laboratory procedures are met for the continuation of the trade, with Brazil currently having 55 meatpacking plants and warehouses authorized to export meat to the U.S.