Countries, including China, will not accept chicken consignments in transit from Brazil following confirmation of the country’s first bird flu outbreak last week, Brazilian meat lobby ABPA, which represents large food processors, said on Tuesday. ABPA president Ricardo Santin told Reuters News Service that rejection of cargoes may vary according to the date of shipment before outbreak’s confirmation, ranging from 14 to 28 days at the discretion of the destination countries’ official veterinary services.
Brazilian meat processors, including BRF SA and JBS SA, have been put in a tight spot as they must deal with additional logistics costs and uncertainty about the extent of ongoing trade embargos triggered by the bird flu confirmation. It is not possible to calculate losses stemming from export restrictions now in force, Santin said, because the scope and duration of the trade bans may vary according to health protocols and negotiations with importing nations, Santin said. Restrictions for cargos in transit could potentially be eased. “But that will require negotiations,” he said.
Under existing protocols, Brazil has stopped issuance of health certificates nationwide for poultry cargoes destined to China, European Union and South Africa. Countries that have suspended imports from all of Brazil include Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, South Korea, Malaysia and Canada. Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Iraq, Bahrain and Cuba have banned imports from Rio Grande do Sul state, where the bird flu case was found. Japan has banned products only from the town of Montenegro, where the case occurred.
