The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) released a statement declaring that it is closely following the developments of operation Carne Fraca, which is the ongoing investigation on meat processing plants. “In the capacity of an organization that for 65 years has been responsible for the close ties between importers and exporters from Brazil and the 22 countries of the Arab League, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce states that it is following closely, step by step, the developments of the operation by Brazilian Federal Police, launched last Friday, March 17, involving Brazilian meat processing plants,” said the organization.

“We’re committed to transparency and engaged in the search for clarifications so all parts interested in the preservation of the relationship between Brazil and the Arab countries, specifically concerning exports of meats and products, are informed on the course of events,” stated Rubens Hannun, President of the ABCC.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC) compiled by the Arab Chamber, exports of meat and products to the Arab world totaled USD 574 million in the first two months, out of a total of USD 1.8 billion exported by Brazil to the region in the period. Total shipments increased 5.6 per cent over the first two months of last year.

The Federal Police is investigating 21 slaughterhouses on suspicion of irregularities, out of over 4,800 plants of the sort operating in Brazil. The Brazilian government announced recently the suspension of the export licenses of the plants under probe.

After the operation, the Brazilian government also determined the speeding up of the audit procedures in the meat plants being investigated, the joint effort between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Police in the ongoing investigations, the contact with international organizations to ensure the quality and sanitation conditions of the Brazilian meat and penalty for those found responsible for any wrongdoing. There are 33 public officers from the Ministry of Agriculture being investigated, out of a total of 11,000 employees.

President Michel Temer declared on Tuesday that South Korea, who had considered suspending imports of Brazilian meat, decided otherwise.