Muscat: Oman has suspended issuing new licences to import Brazilian meat, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has announced.
“The ministry is strictly monitoring the border posts to check meat imported from Brazil”, said the ministry.
However, an official at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, told Gulf News that Brazilian meat samples which were sent for testing in the ministry’s laboratories were declared safe.
Oman is now coordinating with Brazilian government through official channels to seek clarification on the issue.
The official affirmed that the ministry will not issue new licences to import meat from Brazil and will investigate the companies and slaughterhouses who supply the products.
Brazilian authorities found poor sanitary conditions at some meat plants on March 17 following an inspection. Following the inspection, the Brazilian government ordered a number of meat processing plants to suspend production.
The incident has hit hard one of the strongest sectors in Brazil’s economy, which is experiencing its worst recession on record.
Meat is Brazil’s third biggest export after soya bean and iron ore. Brazil exported beef, chicken and other meat products worth $14 billion last year. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have recently halted beef and chicken imports from some Brazilian companies.
