Uruguay resumes imports of chicken from Brazil, and embargoes due to Newcastle disease are restricted to SC

Brasília Uruguay resumed on Friday (6) imports of chicken and chicken products produced in Brazil, Mapa (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) reported this Saturday (7). With this decision, embargoes arising from Newcastle disease are restricted to Santa Catarina, the state in which the cases were detected.

In addition to Uruguay, Mexico and Malaysia also suspended chicken imports from throughout the national territory, but both countries had already reversed this decision. Now, no partner imposes nationwide trade restrictions, the ministry said.

Other countries had already placed embargoes on meat and poultry products, such as Saudi Arabia, China and Chile, but with a focus on shipments from Santa Catarina. In the case of China, the only regional restriction was negotiated by the Brazilian government.

"When a country recognizes regionalization, it understands that a health incident in a given municipality does not necessarily represent a risk for production across the entire Brazilian territory. This is what we were able to demonstrate to our partners", said Mapa's Secretary of Commerce and International Relations, Augusto Billi.

The Minister of Agriculture, André de Paula, highlighted that the national embargoes were reversed in just 19 days since the first trade restriction following the confirmation of an outbreak of the disease. In 2024, when the disease occurred in Rio Grande do Sul, the country took 74 days to obtain the same result, the ministry said.

"It's a huge difference and a result that deserves to be celebrated. We're not just talking about numbers, but about trust, credibility and Brazil's ability to demonstrate that a localized health incident does not need to compromise trade throughout the country," said the minister.

With the embargoes restricted to Santa Catarina, the impact on Brazilian exports of poultry products will be around 15 thousand tons per month, equivalent to 3% of the monthly average (around 500 thousand tons).

The first occurrence of Newcastle disease this year was recorded on October 18, at a commercial turkey farm in Nova Itaberaba (SC). After that, new outbreaks were detected in Coronel Freitas and Nova Erechim, nearby. The health restriction area covers the three municipalities, in addition to Águas Frias.

"In compliance with the international commitments assumed by Brazil in the area of ​​animal health, Mapa does not authorize the export of products from the restricted area," said the ministry.

According to the ministry, with the end of nationwide restrictions, the government will now work to reverse the restrictions placed on imports of poultry products from the entire state of Santa Catarina. The intention is that the recognition of the health incident is limited to the affected area, which covers the four municipalities.

"To consumers, the ministry reiterates that the consumption of poultry products subject to official inspection remains safe, without contraindications," said the agency.