BRASILIA  — The Brazilian government stated that on March 23 four meat plants would resume exporting beef to China after shipments had been halted because of the discovery of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Brazil.

Beef trade began again after a meeting between Brazil’s minister of agriculture and livestock (MAPA) and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) in Beijing.

“It is a set of actions that benefit Brazilian agriculture and livestock, generate jobs and opportunities for all Brazilians,” said Carlos Fávaro, minister of agriculture and livestock (MAPA) in Brazil.

In February, trade was temporarily suspended after Brazil reported a BSE case from the northern state of Pará.