EU recognizes Brazil as free of avian flu, says agriculture minister

Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro announced on Thursday (Sept. 4) that the European Union has recognized Brazil as free of avian influenza. The decision could reopen the bloc to Brazilian chicken exports, which have been under embargo since the detection of an outbreak at a commercial farm in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul.

“The recognition of Brazil’s avian flu-free status will allow the resumption of chicken exports to Europe,” the minister stressed in a video posted on social media.

Fávaro held a videoconference with the EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the commissioner provided a positive assessment of the information sent by Brazil, stating that the data confirms the country is free of avian influenza.

“We will work with the Member States to propose the gradual lifting of prohibitions and restrictions on Brazilian exports, progressively reinstating all previously approved areas,” Várhelyi said, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

See below a history of Brazilian chicken meat exports from January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data:

Brazilian Chicken Meat Exports | Jan 2022 to Jul 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), which represents the poultry production chain, said in a statement that shipments to the bloc could resume “quickly.”

“With the official confirmation of the decision by European authorities, there is an expectation that shipments will be swiftly restored to the bloc, a highly demanding market for Brazil’s animal protein,” the entity said.

From January to June this year, the bloc imported 125,300 tonnes of Brazilian chicken meat, up 20.8% from the same period in 2024. Revenue reached US$386.3 million, an increase of 38%.

In addition to the European Union, Canada, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste still maintain bans on Brazilian chicken meat. Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Oman, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine have imposed restrictions only on Rio Grande do Sul.

Fávaro asked Várhelyi for the reintroduction of the pre-listing system for exporter accreditation, which waives additional audits, instead of the stricter controls that require more rigorous inspections.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the commissioner promised priority treatment. “We will act as quickly as possible. I hope that within a few weeks we can present the result of the vote. I trust that the Member States will be in favor,” Várhelyi said.

Fish
The videoconference with the EU Commissioner for Health also included the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, André de Paula. The agenda also addressed the possibility of resuming trade in Brazilian fish with the bloc.

“There was also a commitment that he will send an audit to inspect Brazilian fish processing plants, which could enable the resumption of this trade, so important for the sector,” he said.

Source: Globo Rural

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