Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected for the first time a few weeks ago in wild birds in Brazil. Now, in the state of Espírito Santo, a new detection was registered in backyard birds. Experience from other countries shows that the virus follows pretty much that path – wild birds, backyard flocks and finally the poultry industry. Take a look at neighboring Argentina, again wild birds, backyard flocks and the poultry industry at the end. They have lost 27% of poultry production only this year and are starting to recover, one by one, their export markets.
Brazil has been very strong. Their biosecurity has not been merciful, at all. I haven’t been able to visit a single processing plant, not to mention a farm, for the last 12 years – not even coming from media. It has been a resounding no. Period.
I applaud that. That is why the Brazilian poultry industry has been able to keep their disease-free status, as per the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) regulations. However, Japan has just announced that they will not import poultry products from the state of Espírito Santo because of the HPAI detection in a backyard flock – kind of curious. Japan’s poultry imports do not come from that state in Brazil. In fact, Espírito Santo accounts for only 0.19% of Brazilian poultry exports.
On the other hand, Japan was the main destination of Brazilian egg exports, a country known for their high health requirements. So, where is the beef? Or should I say, the chicken?
So, watching all this in perspective: is it worth it for Japan to temporarily suspend imports from that state? Are they trying to demonstrate something? Has the impact of that decision been weighted? If WOAH’s regulations clearly state that if a country has no HPAI in the poultry industry the disease-free status is not lost, then why jump the gun and overlook the world rules?
If a country suspends, or bans, certain poultry imports, the next step could be suspending imports from several important states or even the country as a whole – a fine line – the same fine line for the virus to jump to a farm. Something has to be done.
What do you think?
