Statements published in the Wall Street Journal claiming that mad cow disease could have been exported to Chile through European beef surpluses were declared unfounded by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry also dismissed fears expressed by Chilean cattle farmers about a possible outbreak of the disease in their livestock.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) are currently studying the newspaper’s claims. “Let us put the matter in perspective,” said Agriculture Minister Jaime Campos. “The fears are unfounded and the claims imaginary.” He explained that meat and cattle of European origin have been prohibited from entering Chile for nearly a decade.


According to Agriculture Undersecretary Arturo Barrera, the government policy is to ban beef imports within 24 hours from any country that reports any cases of mad cow disease.


By Steve Anderson, just-food.com correspondent

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now