Brazil in damage control over meat scandal

Brazil's president is trying to reassure importers the country's meat is safe after allegations meat packers bribed inspectors to keep selling rotten meat.

Brazil's president has met with dozens of ambassadors from countries that import Brazilian meat, seeking to minimise damage from a corruption probe that alleges meatpackers bribed inspectors to keep rotten meat on the market.

Speaking at the presidential palace, President Michel Temer told the diplomats that Brazil's "government wants to reiterate its confidence in the quality of our national product."

Temer set up the meeting following inquiries from the European Union and China over the scandal. Federal police issued 38 arrest warrants involving the giant meatpackers JBS and BRF in a blow to Brazil's reputation as one of the world's leading meat producers.