The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters of South Africa (AMIE SA) supports the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ (DAFF) decision to suspend business dealings with Brazilian meat export companies suspected of bribery.
According to David Wolpert, CEO of AMIE SA, it was not clear for how long the suspension would continue.
“The Brazilian government has stated that about 2% of the exporters were involved in corruption; we are communicating directly with Brazil,” said Wolpert.
On March 17, global meat packing companies, Brazil Foods SA (BRF SA) and JBS SA, were raided by Brazilian police, on alleged bribery of health officials. Evidence revealed that meatpackers bribed inspectors and politicians to overlook unsanitary practices, such as processing rotten meat.
A statement released by DAFF on March 22 explained that it had requested the Brazilian government to provide official information regarding unsafe meat being exported to various countries, which could potentially include South Africa.
According to the department, it was not known how many consignments had already left Brazil and were en route to South Africa, however, it was is in the process of ensuring that the establishments implicated were suspended from exporting meat to South Africa, until the Brazilian Veterinary Authority had fully investigated the matter, and were able to provide the necessary assurances that meat imported into South Africa met all requirements.
The department had also advised the Brazilian government to ban all exportation of meat from such establishments to South Africa, until the issue had been resolved to the satisfaction of the South African Veterinary Authority.
DAFF officials at all ports of entry into the country that received consignments of meat had been instructed to test every container of meat arriving from Brazil, using the existing policies regarding testing of consignments.
Brazilian police have arrested three BRF employees and two from JBS, as well as 20 public officials.
