The Brazilian Poultry Association, UBABEF, has issued a statement reiterating that chlorine is not used as a carcass decontaminant in processing, following negative press reports in Russia and ahead of a visit by the Russian sanitary authority, the Rosselkhoznadzor.
Francisco Turra, UBABEF president, has rejected any suggestion that that Brazilian poultry meat exporters are not up to standard, and has reminded Russia that, being a member of the World Trade Organization, its decisions must comply with international trade rules, and not with national needs.
The statement comes after a representative of the Rosselkhoznadzor was quoted in the Russian press as saying that an embargo would be placed on Brazilian chicken meat exports should the delegation find levels of chlorine in slaughter house water above permitted levels.
According to Turra, contrary to what was reported, Brazil does not use chlorine as a carcass decontaminant in slaughterhouses, and the level of chlorine permitted in drinking water is in line with the standards established by the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Health Ministry. He added that the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry had already sent a letter to the Russian authorities explaining this.
Brazilian poultry exports to Russia have experienced a number of problems over recent years and fell back dramatically in 2011. There has since been a very small recovery in the volume of poultry meat shipped.
