MGAP
The Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries reports directly to the Presindecy of the republic, and through the General Direction of Livestock Services, has as objective, to achieve the animal welfare of all species which inhabit the country and guarantee the hygienic-sanitary conditions of food and products of animal origin, assuring their safety for consumption.
It works mainly in two large areas: Aniaml Health Division and Animal Industry Division.
The Animal Health Division prevents, controls and eradicates diseases and also certifies the fulfillment of sanitary registers for imports and exports of animal and products of animal origin, according to the national legal framework and international market demands.
The Animal Industry Division, enables, controls and certifies, the hygienic-sanitary and technological aspects of meat processing plants, meat products, offals and by-products.
It is also responsible for the classification and grading of carcasses with national and external market destinations.
Details:
The National Meat Institute (INAC) is a public non-state created by Decree-Law No. 15 605 of July 27, 1984, for the proposition, advice and implementation of the National Policy on Meat the determination of which the executive branch.
In fulfillment of those purposes INAC has the objective to promote, regulate, coordinate and monitor the production, processing, marketing, storage and transportation of meat cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, goats, poultry, rabbit and game child, the little things, by-products and meat products.
The INAC is managed and administered by a Board of six members, comprising two representatives of the executive branch, appointed one of them proposed by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, acting as President, and the other as Vice President,proposal of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, and four private sector representatives: two representing rural producers, one by the Rural Association and another in the Rural Federation and two representing industry sectors.
The current INAC, which recognizes as first the body with the same name was created 40 years ago by Decree No. 601/967 of 8 September 1967 – is structured on the basis of the previous INAC and the Administrative Commission Abasto (CADA), organisms that until the adoption of Decree-Law No. 15 605 regulating aspects related to export and domestic supply, respectively.
On the assumption that supply and export are two facets of the same economic activity, the recent merger of agencies in the current INAC aimed to achieve greater policy coherence in the meat, from a basic unit of criteria and coordination in the development of both facets.