Egypt resumes meat imports from Brazil after temporary ban

Egypt’s agriculture ministry announced on Saturday the resumption of meat and poultry imports from Brazil days after they were suspended over a Brazilian probe into the export of spoiled meat from the Latin American country.
In an e-mailed statement, the ministry said that imports have been resumed from meatpackers certified by the Brazilian public body for veterinary services, ensuring safety standards and making sure the animals are slaughtered in a way that is compatible with Islamic law.

The ministry added that imports undergo safety inspections at both the country of origin and the importing country. If the import does not meet safety standards, the shipment is either destroyed or returned to the exporter at the expense of the importing company.

Egyptian agriculture ministry spokesperson Hamed Abdel-Dayem told Ahram Online last week, “We are sure that all meat and poultry imported from Brazil and already in [Egyptian] markets is safe because three different state bodies have checked these imports."