IT'S an ill wind that blows no-one any good – and as Brazil's $5.5 billion meat export industry this week battened down its hatches against accusations of rotten, adulterated meat covered up by corrupt government inspectors, Scotland's quality conscious livestock sector could not help but issue a quiet "we told you so" to the global trade enthusiasts behind Brexit.

New trade deals with the Americas, Asia and the far flung outposts of the old Commonwealth have emerged as a lynchpin of the UK's post-Brexit thinking, to the alarm of domestic farmers who fear that increased UK market access for overseas foodstuffs produced cheaply in these third countries will be the quid pro quo for British bankers and service providers setting up shop in new territories.

So the sight of Brazilian president Michel Temer on the political ropes, after 33 of his government's officials were suspended as a result of a two-year investigation by federal police, culminating in dawn raids on 194 meat plants – all poetically titled 'Operation Weak Flesh' – has come at the perfect time to give pause to those who look forward to ripping up the EU's meat industry rulebook.

The National farmers Union Scotland said that, whatever political division of power emerges, the integrity of meat sold in the European and UK markets must be protected.

"Scottish farmers produce beef and poultry to the highest standards and have supply chains which can be traced back to the point of production, meaning consumers can be confident of the meat they buy is the freshest and of the highest quality," noted the union.

"The Scottish farming community is firmly of the view that countries with lower food production standards must not be given unfettered access to the UK market, particularly as Brexit negotiations move forward."

Union president Andrew McCornick pressed the point home: “The fact that the world’s largest red meat exporter is home to this scandal is a reminder that the best way for consumers to ensure they are buying fresh, quality, and tasty food is to buy food from Scotland which is clearly labelled as Scottish.

“Our farmers work hard to meet high quality production standards, and our supply chains are fully traceable. It is important that food is not being imported into our market that is not produced at standards that are equivalent to, or better than, our own."

Looking forward to Brexit, Mr McCornick called on the UK Government to reassure farmers and consumers that it will not negotiate trade deals which trade away existing high standards of production and welfare.

“Equally, we need Brexit to drive the success of our high-quality food," he added. "Currently, two thirds of Scottish red meat turnover comes from sales in the rest of the UK because of the high assurance standards associated with Scottish production.”

Taken together, China and Hong Kong are currently the biggest export market for Brazilian meat, receiving around a third of that $5.5 billions' worth shipped last year. But China has temporarily suspended imports from Brazil, and goods currently at sea or at port will not be able to clear customs, pending an investigation by the China Meat Association.

The European Union is Brazil's second-largest market, with 13% of the exports. To add to the drama, investigators reckon that there were three cargoes of chicken tainted with salmonella already en route to Europe when Operation Weak Flesh kicked in the doors – and so far only one of them has been traced.