EU and 14 countries temporarily suspend imports of Brazilian meat

At least 11 countries have temporarily suspended imports of all Brazilian meat and meat products in the wake of an inspection scandal in the meat-processing industry. The European Union and three other countries have imposed restrictions only on the 21 meat-processing plants targeted by the Federal Police raids of Friday (March 17), or certain divisions within them.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, until the police crackdowns, Brazilian beef, chicken, and pork and meat products used to be exported to more than 150 countries, with daily international shipments averaging at $63 million. On Tuesday (21), four days after news that investigators were suspecting at least 21 meat-packing plants were selling unsafe or uncompliant meat and meat products, the total shipments dropped to a mere $74,000.

According to the government, the following countries have temporarily banned or embargoed Brazilian meat and meat products: China; Chile; Egypt; Algeria; Jamaica; Trinidad and Tobago; Panama; Qatar; Mexico; and the Bahamas, as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in China.

Translated by Mayra Borges