Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, has officially declared its commercial chicken flocks free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the country’s agriculture ministry announced on Wednesday.
This follows a 28-day period without any new outbreaks in commercial farms, a key requirement for regaining disease-free status.
The countdown began on May 22, after full disinfection of a breeder farm in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, where Brazil’s only commercial case was recorded last month. The outbreak led to the culling of 17,000 birds and triggered export bans from major trading partners, including China.
Under international health protocols, countries must implement strict containment and monitoring measures to be recognised as free of HPAI. While Brazil has met these conditions domestically, formal recognition by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is still pending.
Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said Brazil is now focused on rebuilding trust and reopening its poultry export markets, which account for 39% of global chicken trade. “Resuming exports will depend on discussions with each trade partner,” Favaro stated.
A local official in Rio Grande do Sul confirmed that all necessary steps under health protocols have been completed, positioning Brazil to once again claim HPAI-free status for its commercial flocks.
The ministry remains optimistic that international trade will resume in the near future, pending bilateral negotiations and WOAH confirmation.
Melissa Enoch
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