President of a in São Paulo, the Bolsonarista councilor (PL) criticized the (National Health Surveillance Agency) for having refused invitations to speak to the collegiate.
The agency has already received two invitations to provide technical information and clarifications on duties and procedures adopted at each stage of the alcoholic beverage production chain up to inspection in trade and consumption. The latter invited Anvisa to participate in the commission this Tuesday (2). Both were refused.
In the first denial, on November 21, the agency argued that there was no direct correlation between the Regional Coordination for Health Surveillance of Ports, Airports, Borders and Customs Precincts of São Paulo with the actions involving methanol poisoning.
He also cited the limited workforce and the significant decrease in suspected cases of methanol poisoning in recent weeks, leading to the reclassification of methanol poisoning as a low-risk event for Brazil. In addition, it sent a technical note on the responsibilities related to the competencies in the regulation and inspection of alcoholic beverages. On Monday, the agency only said that it would not be able to participate in the meeting scheduled for this Tuesday.
The São Paulo City Council does not have the power to summon federal bodies or authorities because its oversight activities are limited to the municipal administration.
Zoe Martínez criticized the agency’s absence. “Anvisa simply ran away from the Methanol CPI”, he says. “An agency that should defend public health refuses to provide explanations at a critical moment. This is unacceptable.”
“Brazilians are tired of giant, expensive and arrogant bodies that love to command, but disappear when they need to be accountable. And all of this happens under a government that keeps talking about a ‘strong state’, but is only strong to protect its allies and hide incompetence”, he added.
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