Brazil moves to calm mad cow disease fears
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Cows in the beef herd are seen as they feed at Offham Farm, a supplier to Tesco, in Arundel southern England Nov 30, 2012. Brazil, the world's top beef meat exporter, sought on Tuesday to calm fears over the discovery of an atypical case of mad cow disease that led Japan to suspend its imports. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
BRASILIA (AFP) - Brazil, the world's top beef meat exporter, sought on Tuesday to calm fears over the discovery of an atypical case of mad cow disease that led Japan to suspend its imports.
The case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was detected in an animal that died in 2010 in the southern state of Parana.
"The case poses no risk whatsoever to public health or to animal hygiene, since the animal did not die from the disease mentioned and was buried on the property," the agriculture ministry said in a statement.
"Brazil does not have cases of BSE." Still Japan, a small importer of Brazilian meat, halted its imports, prompting Brazilian authorities to seek clarification.
