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Cape Town - South Africa has cracked the whip on some meat imports from Brazil following a scandal involving unsafe meat being exported to various countries, which could include South Africa.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) on Wednesday said it wants a list of the establishments implicated.
Brazil, which is the world’s largest beef and chicken exporter, announced last week that they’re investigating evidence that producers bribed government officials to approve the sale and export of tainted meat. This followed a two-year investigation, which has already seen 30 people arrested and the closure of three meatpacking plants.
It is alleged that in some cases acid was used to mask the smell of spoilt meat, according to Bloomberg.
DAFF said in a statement on Wednesday it advised the Brazilian authority to ban all exportation of meat from the implicated establishments until the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the South African Veterinary Authority.
"It is not known how many consignments may have already left Brazil and are on their way to South Africa, however, DAFF is in the process of ensuring that the establishments implicated are suspended from exporting meat to South Africa until the Brazilian Veterinary Authority have fully investigated the matter and can give the necessary assurances for compliance to the South African requirements for importation of meat into South Africa."
DAFF officials at all ports of entry, which receives meat, have been instructed to test every container of meat from Brazil. "Consignments arriving at the ports of entry in South Africa may be tested microbiologically for organisms such as Salmonella."
Several countries, including China banned imports of Brazilian meat after the news broke.
"DAFF wishes to assure the consumers that the officials at ports of entry have always been vigilant on meat imports from any country to ensure compliance with sanitary requirements which are put in place to protect both the consumers and animals against food safety hazards and animal diseases respectively."
Brazilian meat is exported to 150 countries, President Michel Temer said in a meeting on Sunday with ambassadors of importing countries.
“What is under investigation is not the agricultural inspection service - whose rigor is widely recognised - but rather a few deviations of conduct by a few employees in a very small number of companies,” he said.
"Whoever is to blame, will answer for the issues," vowed Brazil's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Blairo Maggi.
"We cannot accept that the vast majority of businesses and civil servants that make up this great sector that is Brazilian agribusiness are put into question by a few, isolated people."
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