Pig Smuggling: Producers Denounce Brazil as Source of Illegal Imports

Paraguayan pig producers are taking a strong stance against alleged smuggling from Brazil, preparing to file a formal complaint with state prosecutors and tax authorities. The Paraguayan Association of Pig Producers (APPC) plans to present its case to the Prosecutor General's Office and the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT) on Tuesday.

The association aims to trigger simultaneous action from both fiscal and judicial branches to prevent responsibilities from being diluted. They are demanding comprehensive reports on controls implemented over the past six months at key points in Alto Paraná, Canindeyú, and Amambay, departments bordering Brazil and known for irregular goods entry. Crucially, the APPC urgently requests the preservation of surveillance footage from these border checkpoints.

"If there is smuggling, we want to know who is introducing it, where it enters, and how it passes through controls," stated APPC spokespeople, emphasizing the need for precise reconstruction of vehicle and cargo movements. They consider the immediate availability of recordings vital for substantiating their claims with concrete evidence, fearing that data could be lost or overwritten.

The stakes for the APPC extend beyond economic losses. They are calling for a "firm, immediate, and to-the-fullest-extent investigation," arguing that the alleged pork smuggling negatively impacts national production, state tax revenue, and Paraguay's sanitary status. This status is critical for maintaining the country's pork export market, making the fight against illicit trade a matter of national importance.

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If there is smuggling, we want to know who is introducing it, where it enters, and how it passes through controls.