Lebanon, a major importer of Brazilian meat, imposed a temporary ban on the import of cattle from the Brazilian state of Parana over fears of mad cow disease.
The ban, issued by Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Wednesday, says the import of all livestock as well as meat – chilled and frozen – will be suspended until further notice.
The decision comes days after Egypt, the third-biggest importer of Brazilian meat, also suspended imports from the Parana where a case of atypical mad cow disease had been confirmed in the world’s top exporter of the meat.
South Africa, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia have banned imports of Brazilian beef since local media reported the case earlier in December.
