Kein Rindfleisch aus Brasilien: Das Veltlin in Sorge um seine Bresaola

The production of Bresaola, a delicacy from the border region of Switzerland and Italy, is currently facing a shortage of raw materials. This shortage has caused concern among the 1500 people employed in certified meat drying facilities and related logistics businesses in the Veltlin region. Bresaola, made from thinly sliced, air-dried beef, is not only a delicious Italian specialty but also a highly successful export product.

Officially, around 12,000 to 13,000 tons of Bresaola della Valtellina IGP are produced annually, compared to the 2,200 to 2,600 tons of Swiss Bündnerfleisch. However, the current crisis threatens the future of this delicacy, as the European Commission has temporarily banned the import of Brazilian beef and other animal products into the EU due to concerns about the use of prohibited antibiotics in Brazilian beef farming.

The Mercosur trade agreement, which Brazil signed in May 2023, is not the direct cause of the problem, according to Mario Moro, president of the Consortium for the Protection of Bresaola della Valtellina. Instead, the EU's requirements for documentation and control systems in Brazil are not being met. The situation is serious and must be closely monitored, Moro stated.

The Breaola industry is now looking for alternative sources of beef, but finding a suitable substitute is not easy, as the quality and processing requirements of Bresaola are specific. The Italian beef used for Bresaola must meet certain criteria, which is not always available from domestic sources. The industry is also concerned about the potential economic impact of the crisis, as Bresaola is of strategic importance to the Veltlin region.