Ministry: No cause for concern over Brazil beef

Referring to the USDA decision, the Agriculture Ministry yesterday said it is “reassuring the public that Trinidad and Tobago does not import fresh beef or any other fresh meat from Brazil and, as such, there is no cause for concern.” The ministry added that it “is actively monitoring all developments out of Brazil related to food safety and will take immediate precautions, should it determine there are credible or potential health risks to TT consumers.” Regarding this “latest suspension in the US of fresh beef imports from Brazil,” the ministry said Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat, is collaborating with TT’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dr Amery Browne, “on any developments which may impact TT.” On March 21, the ministry temporarily stopped issuing import permits for meat products from Brazil and advised the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division of the Ministry of Health to immediately recall from supermarkets and other retail outlets corned beef, chicken patties and chicken nuggets originating from Brazil.

That decision followed an investigation by Brazilian authorities that uncovered major meat-processing plants in the country which sold rotten beef and poultry for years, while bribing health officials to issue fraudulent inspection reports.

In a statement issued on April 25, the ministry said it would immediately resume issuing import permits for Brazilian meat products.

The ministry said at the time that the ban had been lifted following, “clear and unambiguous assurances” on April 24 from Brazil’s Agriculture Minister, Blairo Maggi, that meat products exported to TT did not come from any of the processing plants under investigation.