Latest news with #Favaro
Kuwait Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Bird flu outbreak in largest chicken exporter Brazil triggers trade bans
Brazil exported some $10bn of chicken meat in 2024, 35% of global trade SAO PAULO: Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm on Friday, triggering protocols for a country-wide trade ban from top buyer China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to over 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported some $10 billion of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 percent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS SA, which ship to some 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday that under existing protocols, countries including China, the European Union and South Korea would ban poultry imports from Brazil for 60 days. Argentina said it was suspending imports of all Brazilian poultry products until its neighbor is found free of bird flu. Favaro said newly revised protocols with major buyers such as Japan, UAE and Saudi Arabia provide for restrictions only on shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 percent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, national pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10 km (6 miles) radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. 'We can calm the market and consumers, showing that other parts of the country have no risk of outbreak ... and with that, get some flexibility from those countries with a total ban,' he said in a telephone interview. Brazil, which exported more than 5 million metric tons of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023, but had not registered a case on a commercial farm until Friday. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by any trade restrictions, the minister said. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing around 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, while severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farmworkers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. 'All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies,' industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Bird flu is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. 'The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption,' the ministry said. — Reuters
AsiaOne
17-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Bird flu in top chicken exporter Brazil triggers trade bans, World News
SAO PAULO — Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm on Friday (May 16), triggering protocols for a country-wide trade ban from top buyer China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to over 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported some US$10 billion (S$13 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to some 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday that under existing protocols, countries including China, the European Union and South Korea would ban poultry imports from Brazil for 60 days. Argentina said it was suspending imports of all Brazilian poultry products until its neighbour is found free of bird flu. Favaro said newly revised protocols with major buyers such as Japan, UAE and Saudi Arabia provide for restrictions only on shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, national pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. [[nid:712218]] State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10 km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "We can calm the market and consumers, showing that other parts of the country have no risk of outbreak ... and with that, get some flexibility from those countries with a total ban," he said in a telephone interview. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tons of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023, but had not registered a case on a commercial farm until Friday. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by any trade restrictions, the minister said. US flock devastated Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing around 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, while severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farmworkers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Bird flu is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said. ALSO READ: World animal health body urges tighter bird flu controls after US death
The Advertiser
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Bird flu hits world's largest poultry exporter Brazil
Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm, triggering a country-wide trade ban from China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported $US10 billion ($A16 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazil's Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday China had banned poultry imports from the country for 60 days. Under agreements with Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said a trade ban would only restrict shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "If we manage to eliminate the outbreak, we think it's possible to re-establish a normal trade flow before the 60 days are up, including with China," Favaro said in an interview aired on CNN Brasil. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by trade restrictions, he added. The ministry said in a statement that it was officially notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing about 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," Brazil's poultry industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tonnes of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states. The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said. Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm, triggering a country-wide trade ban from China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported $US10 billion ($A16 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazil's Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday China had banned poultry imports from the country for 60 days. Under agreements with Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said a trade ban would only restrict shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "If we manage to eliminate the outbreak, we think it's possible to re-establish a normal trade flow before the 60 days are up, including with China," Favaro said in an interview aired on CNN Brasil. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by trade restrictions, he added. The ministry said in a statement that it was officially notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing about 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," Brazil's poultry industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tonnes of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states. The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said. Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm, triggering a country-wide trade ban from China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported $US10 billion ($A16 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazil's Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday China had banned poultry imports from the country for 60 days. Under agreements with Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said a trade ban would only restrict shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "If we manage to eliminate the outbreak, we think it's possible to re-establish a normal trade flow before the 60 days are up, including with China," Favaro said in an interview aired on CNN Brasil. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by trade restrictions, he added. The ministry said in a statement that it was officially notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing about 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," Brazil's poultry industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tonnes of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states. The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said. Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm, triggering a country-wide trade ban from China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported $US10 billion ($A16 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazil's Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday China had banned poultry imports from the country for 60 days. Under agreements with Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said a trade ban would only restrict shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "If we manage to eliminate the outbreak, we think it's possible to re-establish a normal trade flow before the 60 days are up, including with China," Favaro said in an interview aired on CNN Brasil. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by trade restrictions, he added. The ministry said in a statement that it was officially notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing about 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," Brazil's poultry industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tonnes of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states. The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said.
West Australian
16-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Bird flu hits world's largest poultry exporter Brazil
Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm, triggering a country-wide trade ban from China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported $US10 billion ($A16 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazil's Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday China had banned poultry imports from the country for 60 days. Under agreements with Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said a trade ban would only restrict shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "If we manage to eliminate the outbreak, we think it's possible to re-establish a normal trade flow before the 60 days are up, including with China," Favaro said in an interview aired on CNN Brasil. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by trade restrictions, he added. The ministry said in a statement that it was officially notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing about 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," Brazil's poultry industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tonnes of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states. The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said.
Perth Now
16-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Bird flu hits world's largest poultry exporter Brazil
Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm, triggering a country-wide trade ban from China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers. The outbreak in southern Brazil was identified at a farm supplying Vibra Foods, a Brazilian operation backed by Tyson Foods, according to two people familiar with the matter. Vibra and Tyson did not immediately respond to questions. Vibra has 15 processing plants in Brazil and exports to more than 60 countries, according to its website. Brazil exported $US10 billion ($A16 billion) of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade. Much of that came from meat processors BRF and JBS, which ship to 150 countries. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the main destinations for Brazil's chicken exports. Brazil's Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said on Friday China had banned poultry imports from the country for 60 days. Under agreements with Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said a trade ban would only restrict shipments from the affected state and, eventually, just the municipality in question. Your avian influenza update for the month of March 2025: - In March 2025, 142 outbreaks in poultry and 214 outbreaks in wild and non-poultry birds and mammals were reported across the Americas, Asia, and Europe.- Around 5.6 million poultry birds died or were culled, mostly in… World Organisation for Animal Health (@WOAH) April 28, 2025 The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the farm ministry said. The state accounts for 15 per cent of Brazilian poultry production and exports, pork and poultry group ABPA said in July 2024. BRF has five processing plants operating in the state. JBS has also invested in local chicken processing plants under its Seara brand. State officials said the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu is already responsible for the death of 17,000 farm chickens, either directly from the disease or due to cautionary culling. Veterinary officials are isolating the area of the outbreak in Montenegro and hunting for more cases in an initial 10km radius, the state agricultural secretariat said. Favaro, the farm minister, said Brazil was working to contain the outbreak and negotiate a loosening of trade restrictions faster than the two months agreed in protocols. "If we manage to eliminate the outbreak, we think it's possible to re-establish a normal trade flow before the 60 days are up, including with China," Favaro said in an interview aired on CNN Brasil. Chicken products shipped by Thursday will not be affected by trade restrictions, he added. The ministry said in a statement that it was officially notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu has swept through the US poultry industry since 2022, killing about 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, severely affecting production of meat and eggs. Bird flu has also infected nearly 70 people in the US, with one death, since 2024. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. The further spread of the disease raises the risk that bird flu could become more transmissible to humans. By contrast, Argentina was able to isolate a February 2023 outbreak and start resuming exports slowly the next month. "All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," Brazil's poultry industry group ABPA said in a statement. JBS referred questions about the outbreak to ABPA. BRF CEO Miguel Gularte told analysts on an earnings call that he was confident Brazilian health protocols were robust and the situation would be quickly overcome. Brazil, which exported more than five million metric tonnes of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states. The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the Agriculture Ministry said. "The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the ministry said.
