Brazilian President's Changes in Farm Ministry Receive Criticism from Food Security Agency

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are quarantine and biosecurity measures used to protect human, animal, or plant life or health from pests and diseases introduced, established, and spread, as well as additives, toxins, and contaminants in food and feed.

An internal ministry memo obtained by Reuters warns that a decree issued on January 1 reshuffling staff at the agency could jeopardize food inspection services as well as a critical network of six federal laboratories in charge of controlling vaccines, veterinary drugs, and phytosanitary pesticides.

The ministry made no comment on the changes, which are part of the new administration's larger efforts to reduce government spending.

The changes at the ministry, which affected 84 job positions, come as the world grapples with outbreaks of bird flu and the Brazilian meat sector is on high alert after cases were reported in five South American countries. The memo, signed by a group of civil servants who are opposed to the changes, asks that the reshuffle be reconsidered "in the name of public health."

The ANFFA union, which represents federal auditors who inspect food plants in the world's largest chicken exporter, has condemned the changes. "For years, the federal laboratories network has struggled with drastic budget cuts and critical staff shortages," ANFFA said. Tensions rose following the publication of the decree.

The meat lobby ABPA, which represents companies such as JBS and BRF, supports maintaining the food safety agency's budget and strengthening inspection services. "Active and passive ministry oversight are critical for determining (animal) health status," ABPA stated, adding that this is a requirement of the countries that import Brazilian products.