São Paulo – The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) reported this Thursday (13) that minister Blairo Maggi met in São Paulo with the delegation of Saudi Arabia that visited meat processing plants in Brazil last week and early this week. According to MAPA, the mission was expected to take place this year, but got brought forward due to operation Carne Fraca by the Federal Police that is investigating irregularities in meat companies and the bribing of inspectors of the ministry.
According to a statement released by MAPA, the minister said that missions of this type are welcome in this moment. “We can show that processes are good, strong,” said Maggi, according to the statement. He added that the impression from the meeting held on Monday (10) with the Saudis were “very positive”, and that “their testimony is very important.”
The representatives of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) visited meat processing plants in Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, Rondônia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina. “Now, the experts will relay the information to their control department. But, in general, the impression was very good,” said the minister. Saudi Arabia suspended the meat imports of only the four processing plants being investigated in the operation Carne Fraca.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani