With Operation ‘Weak Meat ,’ Brazil’s federal judiciary has unveiled a huge ring of corrupt veterinarians and fake health certificates on beef and poultry meat destined for export. A blow to Brazil, which exported more than US$12 billion worth of meat in 2016. (1) Toward Europe, its first ‘trading partner,’ China and the United States, the Middle East.
The world’s top beef producer JBS, (2) and top poultry exporter BRF are the focus of the investigation. (3) In addition to dozens of smaller competitors. Inspectors and politicians bribed to omit controls on good hygiene practices in meat processing. And to consent to the shipment of unsafe food abroad.
‘We have never seen a scandal like this in the industry … It’s horrible,’ industry analyst Alex Silva (Scot Consultoria) told Reuters. ‘This affair stains the whole system that Brazil has taken years to develop.’
Federal Judge Marcos Silva collected evidence of bribes on various levels, from political donations in the government area (4) to bank ‘loans’ to gifts of hams and other meat products. Corruptors in some cases would even gain direct access to government offices and computers. For self-release of export certificates.
Investigator Mauricio Moscardi Grillo added that the two giants used chemicals to mask the appearance and bad smell of spoiled meat. These were also mixed with water and cassava flour, or healthy meat, for sale to consumers. As if that were not enough, evidence was gathered of the inclusion of cardboard in the sausage dough.
On March 17, 2017, police arrested two employees of JBS, three of BRF and about 20 public officials. As a result of a two-year investigation. Following the raid, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture suspended another 33 employees. In addition to closing three factories mentioned in the investigation, one by BRF and two by Grupo Peccin. And to order the seizure of their products in supermarkets.
Italian authorities had blocked four containers of salmonella-contaminated BRF meat in 2016. Reconfirming, if ever there was a need, that Italy’s system of public veterinary controls sets the world’s standard. Precisely for this reason, the meat supply chain fraud (5) rampant throughout Europe in recent decades has not even touched our country.
A spokesman for the European Commission on March 20, however, assured the suspension of the EU export authorization. For all establishments involved in the fraud, that is. This is not the first time; in fact, there are previous prominent frauds that have already caused a total blockade of imports into Europe. But Brussels insists that this episode will not hinder the progress of free trade negotiations between Europe and Mercosur (sigh!).
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Poultry exports of US$6.9 billion and beef exports of US$5.5 billion
(2) JBS’s latest financial statements report sales of 170 billion reais (US$55 billion), with sales in 150 countries
(3) BRF, on the other hand, had sales of 39 billion reais, in 2016
(4) The two giants at the center of the investigation allegedly paid lavish donations to the two parties of the center-right government coalition. The Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, that of President Michel Temer, and the Progressive Party
(5) Of note in this regard is the book ‘Food Safety, Between Mandatory Rules and Voluntary Standards,’ by the author, at https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza-alimentare-regole-cogenti-norme-volontarie-libro-dario-dongo/
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
