Brazil must suspend chicken exports to China after outbreak of Newcastle disease in SC

The measure is provided for in a health protocol signed between the two countries. When an infectious avian disease is identified in Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture must preventively suspend exports to the Asian country.

From there, Chinese authorities evaluate the information sent by the Brazilian government and can decide the scope of the restrictions. The embargo can be maintained for the entire country or restricted to the affected region, allowing the resumption of exports from other areas considered free of the disease.

To this end, Brazil must communicate to China the measures adopted to contain and eradicate the outbreak and demonstrate the reestablishment of the sanitary conditions required by the agreement.

The first international reflection of the case came from Mexico. On Monday (19), the country suspended the import of chicken meat and other Brazilian poultry products after confirming the outbreak of the disease in Santa Catarina.

The restriction was announced by Mexico's Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development and also applies to live birds and fertile eggs. According to the Mexican government, the measure seeks to protect the country's poultry production, considered free of the disease.

The farm in Nova Itaberaba (SC) where the outbreak was detected, with around 6 thousand turkeys, was closed by the Official Veterinary Service. Authorities also initiated measures to contain and eliminate the disease, in addition to expanding surveillance on properties in the region.

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture informed that the movement of birds has been suspended and that control actions will follow the national contingency plan for avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

Both the ministry and the Santa Catarina Integrated Agricultural Development Company (Cidasc) highlighted that there is no risk to the consumer and that the consumption of poultry meat and eggs from inspected establishments remains safe.