Bird flu detected on farm for the first time in Brazil: EU and China suspend imports

The outbreak of bird flu was detected at a poultry farm in the Porto Alegre region of Rio Grande do Sul state in Brazil.

According to PoultryWorld, since 2006, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been circulating in countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, but Brazil has maintained its status as a country free of the disease in commercial farms.

The Brazilian government has declared a 60-day state of emergency, which includes the establishment of a 10-km control zone, quarantine of properties, restrictions on the movement of birds and poultry products, increased inspections, and the removal of animals for sanitary reasons.

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of poultry meat, accounting for about 38% of international trade. In 2024, it reached a historic level of chicken exports, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). Exports of chicken meat, including fresh and processed products, amounted to 5.294 million tons (+3% compared to the previous year). Revenues also reached a record high of $9.928 billion (+1.3%).

China announced a 60-day suspension of poultry meat exports from the affected region of Brazil.

The European Commission also announced a suspension of poultry imports from Brazil, without specifying the duration of the ban, Reuters reports.

“The conditions for imports into the EU require that the exporting country (Brazil) be free of highly pathogenic avian influenza,” a European Commission spokesman said. “Brazilian authorities can no longer sign such animal health certificates for exports to the EU, and such certificates cannot be issued. No poultry/meat products can be exported to the EU from any part of Brazil.”

Brazil is the main source of poultry imports to the EU, with a share of 32% last year.

Tags: Brazil, chicken