Dominica’s Trade Director now advises of an immediate ban on imports of all corned beef from Brazil

​Dominica’s Trade Director now advises that an immediate ban has been placed on imports of all corned beef from Brazil, into Dominica. Walters informed this afternoon (Wednesday 22nd March 2017), that a joint decision was made after discussions between the Customs & Excise Division, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Veterinary Unit, and the Environmental Health Unit.
 
Walters said “This is due to the fact that the information received was that 78% of our imports of corned beef comes from Brazil. Although we have not imported corned beef from Brazil from since 2016, we believe that there may still be business places selling corned beef from Brazil, and the Environmental Health Unit will carry out investigations into those business places that have been identified.”
 
He stated that there is a mandate to remove corned beef in circulation from the shelves as a matter of caution. On Monday, the government of Jamaica imposed an immediate ban on imports of corned beef originating from Brazil. The products were pulled from all shelves in Jamaica, and the government warned Jamaicans that they should not consume the product until further notice.
 
According to media reports, the move follows reports from Brazilian authorities that several major Brazilian meat processors have been “selling rotten beef and poultry”. According to reports, it is also alleged that companies have paid hefty bribes to auditors, in exchange for fraudulent sanitary licenses.