After 2017 Scandal, Vietnam Considers Reopening its Market for Brazilian Beef

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil has been trying for several months to reopen large markets for its beef industry. Vietnam is one of the strategically important target markets.

When Brazilian meat companies were investigated for selling rotten goods at home and abroad, many wondered if their international reputations would ever be repaired.

The “Weak Flesh” operation of March 2017 found that certain staff at food-processing companies JBS and BRF were guilty of bribery. It also found that an individual at JBS had changed use-by dates, while at BRF some workers had faked export documents. This prompted multiple countries to suspend imports of Brazilian beef.

As of next Monday, July 29th, a veterinary delegation from Vietnam will begin an inspection of meatpacking plants, farms and the livestock defense system in Brazil to assess the reopening of beef exports to the country.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a team of three veterinarians will be deployed in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Santa Catarina to examine slaughterhouses, animal farms and the Federal Laboratory for Livestock Defense (LFDA) in Pedro Leopoldo (Minas Gerais State), a reference in the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease.

On August 6th, the final audit assessment meeting will be held in Brasília.