Philippines suspend purchases of meat from Brazil amid safety concerns

MANILA-the Philippines suspended meat imports from Brazil due to sanitary concerns, in the wake of the decision taken in June by the United States to ban the purchase of fresh brazilian beef, after several shipments of the product have not passed quality control.
The Philippine Agriculture Secretary, Emmanuel Piñol, said that a "food safety team" will go to Brazil the day July 26 to inspect meat exporters.
Brazil, the largest exporter of global beef and chicken, accounts for 6% of the Philippines imports of meat, according to the local press.
"This involves the health of Filipino consumers and we can''t take that risk," said Piñol told Reuters.