A federation of British and Irish farmers has formally lodged a complaint to the European Union that the EU Commission is failing in its legal duty by continuing to allow beef imports from Brazil.
The 12 member associations of Fairness for Farmers in Europe (FFE) have formally complained to the European Ombudsman that by ignoring incontrovertible evidence on the risk presented to both animal and human health through the continued importation of Brazilian beef, the EC Commission is guilty of both maladministration and interference with the rights of EU farmers.
These are two of the specific grounds which the Ombudsman must act upon if he does receive a complaint.
The EU Ombudsman, in many respects, acts in a similar way to the office of Ombudsman which exits in many of the member states. The European Ombudsman is Nikiforos Diamandouros and his power derives directly from the Treaty with his duties set out by the European Parliament.
On foot of this formal complaint, the ombudsman must now undertake a full investigation of all the official trials and reports on the health status of Brazilian beef - including any unpublished reports held by the Commission. Following his investigation, he must present his report with recommendations to the European Parliament.
An FFE spokesman said: "The combined efforts of the organisations in FFE are targeted at forcing the Commission to act on the clear veterinary evidence and other information collected by the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Union arising from numerous official missions undertaken by that office.
"In addition, FFE is confident that the ombudsman will have to factor-in to his deliberations the complete ban on Brazilian beef imports operated by both the US and Australia.
"FFE's contention is simple and irrefutable: the failure of the EC Commission to act on its own evidence and the evidence of Australia and the US amounts to recklessness and, therefore, constitutes maladministration. The blatant and ludicrous double-standard operated by the Commission in implementing a costly regime on European farmers, while at the same time openly tolerating a virtual 'no control' regime in Brazil regarding cattle identification, food traceability and safety infringes the fundamental rights of EU farmers regarding their business.''
He said that FFE would continue to seek a complete ban on beef imports from Brazil while the ombudsman's investigation was in process.
"This formal complaint signals the determination of British and Irish cattle farmers to no longer quietly acquiesce in a system that rests on the most manifest discrimination and unfairness. Farmers will no longer tolerate this daily infringement of their fundamental rights as EU citizens,'' he added.
* Irish Cattle and Sheep Association president, Malcolm Thompson, and general secretary, Eddie Punch, are to meet DG SANCO (Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs in the EU) on Monday (July 16) to discuss the ever-increasing concerns over Brazilian beef imports.
"DG SANCO's own recent reports from Brazil have raised serious concerns over the traceability and production values of beef in Brazil, and yet the EU has failed to act accordingly and impose a ban on imports,'' said Mr Thompson.
"Remember, we are talking about beef that is not considered fit for the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia, and yet the EU, by accepting such low quality meat, is effectively saying that their own citizens are not as important!
"It's a complete disgrace, and undermines the EU in the extreme. We will be demanding answers and as well as action on Monday next,'' he added.
"The EU Agriculture Committee also meets next week to discuss the whole issue around Brazilian beef, and it can only be hoped that the mounting pressure will force Europe to do the right thing and protect its citizens from potential harm.''

source: The Associated Press