Brazil must take prompt action, says EU on meat exports
“Brazil must act as soon as possible, take measures quickly, with good cooperation and mutual understanding,” Andriukaitis said
The credibility of Brazilian meat in the European market depends only on Brazil, which must ensure the control over its agricultural production, said European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis on Monday (Mar. 27) during a visit to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), in Manguinhos, in northern Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil must act as soon as possible, take measures quickly, with good cooperation and mutual understanding,” he said.
Andriukaitis's visit to Brazil had been scheduled before Operation Weak Flesh was launched, and, was described by him as an opportunity to discuss cooperation strategies to solve problems stemming from the reduction in Brazilian meat exports. The EU suspended imports from meatpacking targeted by the Federal Police.
The crackdown target alleged irregularities committed by agricultural inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture as well as owners of processing plants in the Brazilian states of Paraná, Minas Gerais, and Goiás. The investigators believe inspectors pocketed bribes in exchange for issuing sanitary reports without the proper checks on the meat.
On Tuesday (28), Andriukaitis is to meet with various cabinet members in Brasília, among the Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi. Among the topics do be addressed are measures being taken to improve the official tools for sanitary, quality, and transparency control and law enforcement in the sector.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Brazil must take prompt action, says EU on meat exports
