Brazil, Singapore sign agreement for pork trade in case of ASF

Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) has signed a regionalisation agreement with Singapore to ensure trade in meat and pork products in the event of an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Brazil, according to a government-issued press release.

The measure, which is already in force, will allow trade provided that the disease is contained in a specific area and that sanitary control measures are implemented in accordance with the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO). The agreement will bring greater security and predictability to pork trade between the two countries, favouring the representatives of the industries of both.

According to the director of the Department of Animal Health of the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense of the Map, Marcelo Mota, the protocol is the result of the recognition of the authorities of Singapore, the efficiency of the official veterinary service of Brazil and the efficiency of the productive sector, in cooperating in food security with that country.

Brazil has been free of African Swine Fever since 1988 and maintains international recognition, as free of the disease, issued by the World Organization of Animal Health (WHO). Access to the Singapore market, one of the most demanding in Asia, is an opportunity for more businesses in the region.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. The disease does not pose a risk to human health, but it can cause serious economic losses to the pig industry. Brazil is one of the main exporters of pork in the world, and Singapore is an important market for Brazilian pork.

Tags: pork, Brazil, trade, African Swine Fever, Meat, Singapore, ASF, outbreak, agreement