Brazil minister says signs show efficient control of bird flu outbreak
Brazil's first-ever case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza was reported on a commercial farm in Rio Grande do Sul state last month, prompting dozens of trade partners to ban Brazilian chicken at countrywide and regional levels.
Countries including China, South Korea and the European Union, were in talks with Brazil to ease their bans, Favaro said in Brasilia, adding that many partners were expected to relax restrictions before the 28-day observation period is up later this month.
Since the outbreak, chicken prices in Brazil have fallen around 7%, Favaro said, adding the decline was normal and not alarming and that almost three quarters of Brazil's chicken production was now being consumed domestically.
Brazil has seen more than 170 confirmed cases of bird flu since 2023 - including an outbreak at the zoo in capital Brasilia - but just one case at a commercial farm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Former Hong Kong lawmaker says Australian asylum grant shows territory infringed rights
SYDNEY, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Exiled former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui hailed on Monday Australia's grant of asylum status as a key acknowledgement of the territory's human rights infringements since its authorities quelled massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. Hui, who also urged support for businessman Jimmy Lai now being tried on national security charges, received asylum on Friday, more than four years after leaving Hong Kong, which has offered a bounty for him on criminal charges over the protests. "It is recognition by the Australian government that human rights infringements and erosion of democracy and freedom actually happened and justified granting asylum to people like me ... being persecuted because of the protests," Hui said. "I believe this is good for Australia to have that recognition and I am grateful for the country, which has given me so much," he told Reuters in an interview. Australian visa data reviewed by Reuters showed it had approved no asylum claims by citizens of the Asian financial hub since January 2021, and rejected five in 2023. Hui, who is working as a lawyer in South Australia, said the good news for his family came in a week during which he was concerned over Hong Kong's trial of his friend, the pro-democracy businessman Lai, on national security charges. "Jimmy Lai is very iconic of Hong Kong's resistance because he actually had the ability to leave Hong Kong but he decided to stay," he said. "That is very noble of him." Before his arrest, Lai had described himself to Hui as being "like a captain of a ship" in support of democratic values and would "sink with the ship". Hui added, "He deserves democracy's help in rescuing him when he is in a deep plight and he is not well." Lai, 77, received medication and a heart monitor for the start of the trial's final submissions, prompted by health concerns aroused by heart palpitations. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised concerns with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in a meeting last month about anonymous letters circulated in South Australia offering rewards for information about Hui and his family. The Australian Federal Police were investigating the matter, Hui said. "They call me to check on my safety and that of my family...," he said. "I can say the AFP is putting in a lot of effort." A police spokesman declined to comment. After Hui and his family arrived in 2021, 123 Hong Kong citizens have made asylum claims in Australia. Many more have taken up skilled visas under a program launched in 2021 for Hong Kong citizens to stay permanently, data shows. The home affairs department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, the government of the former British colony said it was "against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country".
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Oil prices climb after US adviser says India's Russian crude buying has to stop
SINGAPORE, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Monday after White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said India's purchases of Russian crude were funding Moscow's war in Ukraine and had to stop. Brent crude futures rose 30 cents, or 0.46%, to $66.15 a barrel by 0629 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $63.19 a barrel, up 39 cents, or 0.62%. Navarro said in an opinion piece published in the Financial Times that if India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the United States, it needs to start acting like one. "India acts as a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs," Navarro said. The market's swift rebound after Navarro's comments highlights how fragile sentiment is. Any sign of Washington tightening its stance on India's Russian oil purchases reintroduces a risk premium, said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at brokerage Phillip Nova. "The U.S. adviser's sharp words on India's Russian crude imports, paired with postponed trade talks, revive concerns that energy flows remain hostage to trade and diplomatic frictions, even as peace prospects in Ukraine brighten," Priyanka added. Oil prices fell during early Asia trading after U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday and emerged more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal instead of a ceasefire first. Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders on Monday as the U.S. president presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace deal to end Europe's deadliest war in 80 years. "The status quo remains largely intact for now," RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said in a note, adding that Moscow would not walk back territorial demands while Ukraine and some European leaders would balk at the land-for-peace deal. On Friday, Trump said he did not immediately need to consider retaliatory tariffs on countries such as China for buying Russian oil but might have to "in two or three weeks", cooling concerns about a disruption in Russian supply. China, the world's biggest oil importer, is the largest buyer of Russian oil, followed by India. Investors are also watching for clues from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's comments at this week's Jackson Hole meeting regarding the path of interest rate cuts that could boost stocks to further records. "It's likely he will remain noncommittal and data-dependent, especially with one more payroll and Consumer Price Index (CPI) report before the September 17 FOMC meeting," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
South African rand muted with local inflation data the week's main focus
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The South African rand was subdued in early trade on Monday, with the main focus this week on domestic inflation numbers, while investors also eyed geopolitical developments which could influence the risk-sensitive local currency. Statistics South Africa will release July inflation data on Wednesday, with analysts polled by Reuters expecting a rise to 3.6% year-on-year from 3.0% in June (ZACPIY=ECI), opens new tab. At 0632 GMT the rand traded at 17.62 against the dollar , about 0.2% weaker than Friday's close. For the time being, ETM Analytics said in a research note, "most investors should anticipate a consolidative USD-ZAR that will take its direction from developments abroad". "Domestic considerations will feature more prominently if the domestic inflation reading surprises strongly to the topside." South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was weaker in early deals, as the yield rose 2 basis points to 9.605%.
