Import ban big blow to Brazil beef

BRAZIL’S giant meat industry suffered a heavy blow when Hong Kong banned imports yesterday in response to allegations that inspectors in the South American country were faking certificates for rotten produce.

Hong Kong is the biggest market for Brazilian beef – it imported $718-million (R9.1-billion) worth last year, according to Brazilian government figures.

Officials have been scrambling to contain the damage since Brazilian police announced the results of a two-year investigation on Friday.

Police revealed that health inspectors were bribed to certify meat no longer fit for consumption, while additives were used to mask problems in the produce.

Exports have been halted from 21 meat processors under investigation, and at least 30 people have been arrested.

Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety said it had temporarily suspended the import of frozen meat and poultry because the quality of the meat from Brazil was in question.

This followed a similar ban by China, which is Brazil’s biggest market for beef and poultry overall.

South Korea, for its part, has lifted a temporary suspension on the distribution of chicken already imported from Brazil, after its authorities performed inspections and confirmed that no tainted poultry had entered the country.

It had no plans to close its market to Brazilian meat, the South Korean embassy in Brasilia said.

The European Union had demanded a stop to exports by four companies implicated in the scandal, while Chile suspended all meat imports from Brazil.

Adding to the worries in Brazil – the world’s biggest meat exporter – Japan has said it was considering issuing a notice to customers.

Russia, which has relied heavily on Brazilian imports since banning US and European Union food imports, said it wanted clarifications from Brazil.

“We expect more than 30 countries to question Brazil about this situation,” Brazilian Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said.