Cupra believes it is necessary to take this measure following the outbreak of Newcastle disease in the neighbouring country.
The Uruguayan Chamber of Poultry Processors (Cupra) demanded that the government suspend imports of poultry meat from Brazil, following the recent outbreak of the disease Newcastle in the neighboring country.
The producers considered that the government should take action in the matter to avoid possible impacts on production similar to those of foot-and-mouth disease, since the administration of Lula da Silva cut the exports from Rio Grande do Sul, epicenter of the outbreak, but not from the rest of the country.
“We understand that Brazil handled the issue well and reported correctly and self-limited its exports to the whole world, but only from Rio Grande do Sul, not from the rest of the country,” he said. Frederick Stanham, CEO of Cupra, in dialogue with Radio Carve.
In defending the suspension of imports from the sector, Stanham argued that “animals can move from one place to another by logistical causes or production” and warned: “If there is any minimal risk of dissemination due to the movement of birds, we must remain calm.”
They ask for extreme vigilance regarding smuggling
For his part, the Cupra representative highlighted that “Uruguay has been free of the disease for a long time and is not vaccinated chickens”, He therefore considered that the outbreak of Newcastle disease “should put us all on alert and take the correct actions.”
In addition to the suspension of imports, considering that “the virus can come from the bones”, he asked to “extremely vigilant about the smuggling”. In fact, he ventured that “if this were to take another dimension, we can move forward with other measures in steps of borders”.
“In terms of threat to production, it is a situation similar to foot-and-mouth disease,” said Stanham, clarifying that his requests “should not be interpreted as a measure protectionist, like those imposed by Brazil in dairy or rice: Poultry meat is coming in here Argentina, Chile and the United States.”
Source: Ambito
