Brazil Halts Poultry Meat Shipments to China, Europe, and Argentina Due to Newcastle Disease
Brazilian authorities have halted all shipments of poultry meat to China, Europe, and Argentina following the detection of a case of Newcastle disease in the municipality of Anta Gorda, located in the State of Rio Grande do Sul[1]. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the suspension of temporary certification is in line with international standards on trade in poultry and poultry products, ensuring transparency to the importing countries[1].
The suspension applies to the entire national territory for China, Argentina, and the European Union, encompassing poultry meat, fresh poultry meat, and its derivatives, eggs, meat for animal feed, poultry raw material for therapeutic purposes, meat preparations, and untreated blood products[1]. India, South Africa, and Mexico are also affected by the new restrictions[1].
Additionally, all production within 50 kilometres of the outbreak cannot be exported to Canada, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and East Timor[1]. However, heat-treated products, such as thermo-processed, cooked, and processed products bound for Argentina, South Africa, Chile, the European Union, and Uruguay, are not subject to any restriction[1].
Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro explained that a chicken tested positive for Newcastle disease, which affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems[1]. The virus may have been introduced after a storm caused the collapse of a roof on a poultry house, exposing the chicken to the virus found in the faeces of infected wild birds[1]. Favaro assured that this appears to be an isolated case, with no signs of sick animals in the area or region[1].
Newcastle disease is highly transmissible among birds but does not affect humans. It was last detected in poultry in Brazil in 2006[1]. Suspension rules are reviewed daily based on ongoing negotiations with partner countries[1]. As a precaution, birds in Rio Grande do Sul will be culled[1]. The state is the third largest exporter of chicken meat in Brazil, with 354,000 tons exported in the first six months of the year[1].