Scandal sparks calls for ban on meat imports from Brazil

CALLS have been made to ban meat imports from Brazil into Ireland amid reports of contaminated meat coming in from the South American country.

Fianna Fáil and the Irish Farmers’ Association are among those calling for meat imports from Brazil to be suspended following allegations that inspectors from the country took bribes to facilitate the sale of contaminated meat.

To improve the appearance and smell of expired meats, the companies involved in the scandal used chemicals and cheaper products such as water and manioc flour, according to investigators.

Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesman Charlie McConalogue TD said a ban on the importation of Brazilian meat will have to be seriously considered until the issue has been resolved.

‘I was horrified to read reports over the weekend of how Brazilian authorities have uncovered substandard product in meat processing plants that was subsequently exported. This includes rotten meat and the prevalence of salmonella,’ he said. ‘Considering the EU is one of the main markets for Brazilian beef and poultry exports, contingency actions need to be put in place to safeguard European consumers from substandard meat product. This includes an immediate ban on all Brazilian meat imports to the EU.’

Echoing these calls, the president of the IFA said it has written to the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, demanding that the EU insist on European standards for all imports and to impose a ban where this is not met.

‘No credible or proper control system can effectively operate on the basis of no traceability, tagging, registration and national data base,’ Joe Healy said.

‘Most of all, I fear that foreign markets will be lost for our products and that domestic consumers will lose their trust in them as well.’

Three meat plants have been shut down in Brazil. On Friday, police in the South American country issued 38 arrest warrants involving the giant meat-packers JBS and BRF. Both firms have denied wrongdoing.

‘Horrified to read reports’