Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 11/16/10

The United States authorized today the import of fresh beef and pork from the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.

A final rule posted today in the Federal Register added Santa Catarina to the list of regions the United States deems as free of foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever and African swine fever.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government also noted the addition of Santa Catarina to the list of regions subject to certain import restrictions on meat products based on their proximity to or trading relations with rinderpest- or FMD-affected countries.

"These actions will update the disease status of Santa Catarina with regard to FMD, rinderpest, swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever while continuing to protect the United States from an introduction of those diseases by providing additional requirements for live swine, pork meat, pork products, live ruminants, ruminant meat and ruminant products imported into the United States from Santa Catarina," the notice summary states.

The effective date of the rule is Dec. 1.

U.S. inspectors, according to a report by Reuters, will visit individual plants in Santa Catarina in order to determine if they are fit to ship product to the United States.

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