PRECAUTIONARY BAN ON IMPORTED BEEF FROM BRAZIL

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is aware of the meat scandal unfolding in Brazil relative to food inspectors taking bribes to allow sales of rotten and salmonella-tainted meats. Sr. Blairo Maggi, Brazil's Agriculture Minister, advised that the government of Brazil has suspended exports from 21 meat-processing units.

To safeguard public health and food safety in The Bahamas, the Minister for Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, has announced a precautionary ban of meat imports from Brazil.

Until further notice, no permits for the importation of processed meat products from Brazil will be issued. This includes corned beef as well as other beef products and beef by-products.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources will continue to monitor this issue over the next 60 days and should we be satisfied that imports from Brazil be resumed, it would be with the following proviso:

· Beef must be slaughtered and processed at an approved Government abattoir and processing facility; · A Sanitary certificate should accompany all imports from Brazil;

· Inspection of all batch containers be done at the Port of Entry;

· An Import Permit must be sought by all importers from the relevant Government Agency; and

· A registry must be compiled of all importers of beef and beef products from Brazil.

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