Following Brazilian law enforcement's "Operation Weak Flesh" raided dozens meat factories to investigate widespread alleged fraud in March, four companies under investigation with previous exports to the EU lost their approval to access Europe.

"Ireland has received two consignments from implicated establishments at Dublin Port – both were rejected," Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told the Dáil this week.

He added that Ireland has implemented the increased scrutiny measures agreed at European level. "Under the new regime, 100% of consignments from Brazil receive a physical check, and 20% are sampled for salmonella and E-coli," Minister Creed said.

The European Commission conducted an audit of Brazilian meat imports last month. European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told the Irish Farmers Journal that its conclusions would be published in the coming days and inform European decisions on the future of Brazilian meat imports.

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JBS sends Brazil into turmoil

Full coverage: Brazilian meat scandal