Brazil’s meat exports have plunged from an average $63
million per day to $74,000 following revelations that federal police have
uncovered scandals at 21 plants.
Police say food-safety inspectors were bribed and as a
result, some meat that was treated with acid to mask putrid rotting conditions
and some processed products containing cardboard passed inspection.
The
government has fired 33 meat inspectors.
Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi provided the figures on
exports during a hearing in the Senate.
The 21 plants investigated represent a small fraction of the
Brazilian meat industry, which has more than 4,000 facilities in operation, but
many countries importing meat from Brazil have been banning products since
Friday as a precautionary measure.
Canada has suspended imports from two companies.
China, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong, South Africa and the
European Union are among the countries that have suspended purchases, partially
or completely.
Moody's Investors Service said in a report released Tuesday
that the main negative impact of reduced meat sales should be felt by BRF S.A
and, to a lesser extent, by JBS.
BRF is a major poultry processor and three of its plants
were closed by federal police. The single JBS plant that’s among the 21 has
been allowed to continue operations.
