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Indonesia stops meat imports from Brazil
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Under investigation: Employees work in a butcher shop in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 20. The European Union's spokesman in Brazil says the union is temporarily halting some imports of Brazilian meat amid an investigation into a massive scheme of meat adulteration, which involved some of the country's largest producers. (AP/Eraldo Peres)
T
he Indonesian government stopped importing beef and chicken from Brazil because of the quality prior to the finding of uneatable meat that was exported from Brazil to a number of countries, an official said.
“We do not import meat [from Brazil]. I have also stopped [meat imports] from Malaysia,” Agriculture Ministry’s livestock and animal health director general, I ketut Diarmita, said as reported by tempo.co on Thursday.
He said several countries had stopped importing meat from Brazil, following the incident.
(Read also: Brazil meat scandal deepens as China, EU, Chile bar imports)
In connection with the finding, three companies in Brazil have been closed and 21 other are under investigation. Brazilian President Michael Temer said the case involved only a small number of companies. Meanwhile, Brazilian Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said because of the finding, more than 30 countries might no longer trust the country’s meat products.
Diarmita said the Indonesian government was conducting a study on the domestic demand of beef and chicken. “While we are making an analysis on the demand, we do not need to import,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Meat Traders Association chairman Asnawi demanded the government permanently ban the import of meat from Brazil.
“Documentation and physical checking of imported meat should be intensified,” said Asnami, adding that the move would be aimed not only to prevent the entry of poor quality meat, but also to prevent the entry of non-halal meat. (bbn)
