SAO PAULO (Reuters) – China has not resumed buying chicken products from Brazil after an outbreak of Newcastle disease was detected last month, two agriculture ministry officials told Reuters on Tuesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of an industry event, they said talks are still talking place with Chinese authorities even after the government controlled the outbreak, which local authorities said was an isolated case in the country’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The officials avoided predicting when sales could resume.
China is Brazil’s most important trade partner, and the Latin American country is the world largest chicken exporter.
Roberto Perosa, foreign relations and commerce secretary at the Brazilian agriculture ministry, said China might contact Brazil regarding the end of the embargo in coming days, potentially next week.
Carlos Goulart, Brazil’s secretary for agricultural defense, said he was relieved Brazil was able to declare on Tuesday the end of “a health emergency period” in Rio Grande do Sul, which could help matters after one case of Newcastle was confirmed, but quickly controlled, at a local *commercial farm* in the town of Anta Gorda.
Goulart said in addition to China, Mexico and Argentina have yet to say whether they will resume buying chicken products from Brazil.
In relation to China in particular, Goulart said he cannot predict when Beijing will authorize imports again.
Brazilian government officials have said repeatedly all information required but the importing nations has been provided. The government has also notified the World Organization for Animal Health of the end of the outbreak *on late July.
In some 90 days, WOAH is expected to declare Brazil free of the viral disease, Goulart said. He explained importing countries need not wait for that to happen to resume buying.
Newcastle is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild birds, causing respiratory problems, among other symptoms, and can lead to death.
(Reporting by Ana Mano; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
