Rio, November 18, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Agriculture, Pratini de Moraes, informed today that veterinary experts in the Ministry have begun to discuss and establish a timetable for steps to be taken by the Brazilian government with respect to Canada's decision to suspend imports of chicken breasts. According to the minister, the restriction originated with the United States, which previously dominated the quota of this trade. The measure can thus be characterized as strictly protectionist, having nothing to do with the product's sanitary conditions, which Canada had already certified.

Pratini explained that, first of all, the United States will be required to present all information that refers to the episode. He added that Brazil will probably have to appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the decision of the Canadian government. The minister also said that, with partners who act in this way, it will be very difficult to construct a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). (DAS)