South Africa will not impose countrywide restriction on poultry imports from Brazil, following an outbreak of Newcastle disease, provided shipments meet the applicable veterinary certification requirements, the Department of Agriculture said.
Brazil notified South Africa on October 20 of an outbreak in the state of Santa Catarina. The decision to allow trade to continue follows consideration of that notification, according to the department’s October 28 statement.
Existing veterinary health certificates negotiated between the two countries provide for continued trade in fresh poultry meat, hatching eggs and day-old chicks during a Newcastle disease outbreak subject to specific conditions:
- For fresh poultry meat, birds must originate from premises where no cases have occurred during the preceding six months, including within a 10 km radius. The abattoir and cutting plant must also be outside a Newcastle disease-infected zone, the department said.
- For hatching eggs and day-old chicks, the farms and relevant facilities must be free of the disease for the preceding 12 months and must not be situated in an infected zone.
Brazil’s veterinary authorities have been asked to ensure that all consignments intended for export to South Africa comply with the relevant certification requirements.
“These measures allow trade to continue while safeguarding animal health in South Africa,” the department said, acknowledging Brazil’s prompt notification and continued cooperation between the countries’ veterinary authorities.
