A Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, is used to confirm BSE in cattle. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Brazil plays down BSE risk in suspect cases in people

Sao Paulo/Rio de Janeiro | Reuters — Brazil’s agriculture ministry said that two cases reported on Thursday of a neurodegenerative disorder in patients in Rio de Janeiro state were not related to beef consumption, tamping down fears of possible BSE causing human illness. Federal biomedical institute Fiocruz, which is investigating the possibility of bovine spongiform […] Read more

(JBSS.infoinvest.com.br)

Brazil’s BNDES willing to sell JBS stake

Rio de Janeiro | Reuters — Brazilian development bank BNDES is willing to sell its stake in meatpacker JBS SA, one source with knowledge of the matter said on Friday. The development bank had already expressed the intention to sell its stake “for the right price.” But the person, who asked for anonymity to discuss […] Read more