Brazil and the United States signed a trade agreement in natura beef. The end of the negotiations was sealed on Thursday (29) in Washington, during the IX Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) of the two countries.

It is expected that shipments start in 90 days after the completion of administrative procedures. Next week, at the Planalto Palace, Maggi and US Ambassador to Brazil, Liliana Ayalde, they will make the switch recognition of equivalence of letters of official controls of beef between the two countries.

"This document is the recognition of food safety quality of Brazil," said the minister. In a statement , the Pasta explained the importance of the agreement and how it serves as a reference, almost as a seal of quality of Brazilian beef.

"The conclusion of the negotiations is important for Brazil not only for buying potential of that market but also because the US is a reference to other importers of fresh beef," said the text.

Exports to the US

Brazil already sells processed beef to the US and, last year, they amounted to US $ 286.8 million. With the end of this negotiation for fresh and frozen meat, the Brazilian slaughterhouses, together, will have a quota of up to 64,800 tons per year.

To hit it, Brazil will also have to take down competitors that are within that same quota. In return, the United States may sell their protein for Brazilian consumers.

Opportunities for exporters

The Foreign Ministry celebrated the end of the negotiations through a note ."Access to the US market opens exceptional prospects for Brazilian exporters and foreshadows new business opportunities," he said.

Also praised the Minister of Agriculture, Maggi. "This final phase included the decisive participation of the Minister of Agriculture, Maggi, in direct negotiations with the Department of Agriculture of the United States, in the context of the Agricultural Advisory Committee."