Japan has suspended imports of chicken meat from the Brazilian state of Espirto Santo, where highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock on June 27.
The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) noted that it regretted the decision, and pointed out that Japan was failing to abide by World Organization for Animal Health guidelines, which state that import bans should only be applied when the virus has been detected on commercial poultry farms.
Export ban to have no direct impact
The temporary ban, however, will have no direct impact on Brazil’s export industry.
The comparatively small Espirito Santo is far from a major poultry producing state. It slaughtered 37.3 million broilers last year, or 0.66% of the country’s total. Where exports are concerned, it contributed less than 0.2%.
According to ABPA, Japan was Brazil’s third largest export destination last year, purchasing 420,295 tons, with no product coming from Espirito Santo.
This latest number of confirmed HPAI outbreaks in Brazil has now reached 53, with all but one being in wild birds.
