Brasília, 4/2004 (Agência Brasil) - A group of veterinary experts from the European Union are in Brazil to inspect the beef industry and cattle herds. They will remain in the country until May 6 and will observe slaughterhouses, border inspection posts and state veterinary units.

During the first quarter of this year, beef sales to the EU rose to US$40 million, up from US$32 million during the same period last year.

The EU team will also observe the Brazilian tracking system (Sisbov) that has been operational since the beginning of April. The system begins tracking animals when they are 40 days old. At the moment, Brazil has 15 million animals in the Sisbov, and by December 31, 2005, is to have all cattle from areas free of foot and mouth disease in the system.

Translator: Allen Bennett