Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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EU Council Minutes, 3 April 2017
The following is an extract from the minutes of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting held on the 3 April 2017.
The Commission updated the Council on the latest developments in the meat scandal recently discovered in Brazil and relating to the fraudulent release of licenses and irregular inspection of slaughterhouses. In particular the Commission briefed ministers on the measures already undertaken by member states and the Commission itself to protect the European consumers, and the recent meeting between Commissioner Andriukaitis and the Brazilian minister of agriculture in Brazil on 28 March. The Commission also explained that it would perform audits in Brazil as soon as possible and not later than in mid-May.
In the ensuing debate delegations welcomed the quick, effective and coordinated response given by the EU. They considered essential to provide a high and uniform level of health protection in the EU, and restated their commitment to reinforced controls. On the other hand they also asked to get formal reassurance and transparency from the Brazilian authorities.
The Council will keep monitoring the situation with a view to assessing at a later stage with the Commission whether further measures are needed.
