Union reports new case of threats to agricultural auditors on duty

The National Union of Federal Agricultural Auditors (Anffa Sindical) filed a complaint this week with the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and the Labor Prosecutor's Office (MPT) reporting a new case of threats made against federal agricultural auditors. The document includes details of the attacks suffered by the employees, which has become a recurring occurrence for professionals while performing their duties.

The incident occurred in São Paulo on Tuesday (10/9), when two auditors were intimidated while carrying out an inspection at a company. The owner threatened to kill the pair if the place was closed due to possible irregularities. The job of these employees is to inspect products of animal and vegetable origin, a fundamental task to guarantee the quality and safety of the food that reaches Brazilians' tables.

“Recently, the Federal Police carried out an operation in Maringá, Paraná, to investigate an attempted murder of a federal agricultural inspector. It is sad and unacceptable to have to work in these conditions. We need effective measures to protect professionals. We have seen cases where the person had to be replaced after an assault, this needs to stop,” explained Janus Pablo Macedo, president of Anffa Sindical.

The incident in Paraná was yet another in a recent series that includes cases of moral harassment and aggression against federal agricultural inspectors, as well as a situation in 2022 in which the agents were prevented from leaving a closed property. The aggressive behavior, based on threats and violence, seeks to benefit the companies being inspected, which use these practices as a strategy to influence the direction of the inspection of the establishment.

“We believe that most companies are honest, but there are exceptions that resort to intimidation and humiliation. They want to manipulate the work of auditors,” adds Macedo.

Anffa Sindical has been demanding solutions from the authorities to improve the safety of auditors and prevent them from having to, for example, reach the point of requesting dismissal from their position due to intimidation carried out on the job by those being inspected.

“We need public policies and mechanisms to prevent this type of behavior and bring these perpetrators to justice. They need to be investigated and held accountable. We cannot create a sense of impunity. Auditors need to have their rights protected and be able to perform their duties without fearing for their physical integrity,” demands the president of Anffa Sindical.