Brazil and China work on Covid-19 protocol to avoid drop in chicken exports

Since the episode where China claims to have found traces of the new coronavirus in chicken wings from Brazil, sources following the situation say the two countries are in negotiations to establish a protocol of rules to prevent contamination of Covid-19 in slaughterhouses that export to the market.  This followed an incident in June when a new outbreak of the virus appeared in Beijing, resulting in the suspension of imports from six Brazilian establishments – a seventh unit has been vetoed by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. The Chinese suspension also reached several other countries.

Beijing wants to ensure “zero risk” on imports, but there is a difference between what the Ministry of Agriculture can legally do and the zero risk demanded by the Chinese.  Among China´s requirements are the establishment of a rule where exporters will ‘self-suspend’ if problems involving Covid-19 arise at slaughterhouses, which in Brasilia some consider as a legally complex rule to establish. Beijing wants to know precisely what protocol Brazil will follow in the event of contamination by a slaughterhouse worker, the measures it will take to prevent infections, etc.  According to some sources, if the two countries do not reach an agreement, there is a risk that the Asian country will suspend certain imports from Brazil.

Philippines ban chicken from Brazil

As a result of China’s accusation that it found traces of the new coronavirus in Brazilian chicken shipments, on Friday, August 14, the Philippines imposed a temporary ban on chicken imports from Brazil.  “With recent reports from China and in compliance with the country’s Food Security Act to regulate food business operators and protect Filipino consumers, a temporary ban has been imposed on chicken imports,” said the Department of Agriculture in a statement.  The agency did not say how long the ban would apply.  Brazil is the world´s largest chicken exporter and accounts for about 20% of the Philippines’ chicken imports.

Sources: Valor Econômico and Reuters

Sharing is caring!