Brazil has suspended production on three more food processing plants, in the aftermath of an investigation into alleged corruption of its meat industry.
All three plants ordered to close are in the Parana state, which appears to be at the heart of the scandal, and include units of Souza Ramos, Industria de Laticinios SSPMA and Fabrica de Carnes Castro.
The closures come amid a planned visit by the EU commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis in the country, who has noted that he wanted to help Brazil overcome the allegations with a view to “restore trust”.
The EU has maintained a partial ban on products from the meat plants currently under investigation, but Andriukaitis declined to specify what additional measures the EU might take in the forthcoming days.
Speaking to the AFP, Andriukaitis added: “I expect that (the Brazilian authorities) will understand that it’s up to them to act as soon as possible to restore trust in the official control system.”
EU farm groups have called for additional measures, as several major meat importers have issued bans after the scandal came to light.
In the days to come, the commissioner is set to meet with Brazilian minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Blairo Maggi and the president of the National Sanitary Surveillance Angency, Jarbas Barbosa.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
