Brazil Calls for Tighter Pig Health Controls with Colombia

BRAZIL - Following the announcement of classical swine fever outbreaks in Colombia, Brazil's pig industry body is calling for tighter restrictions on pig trade with that country to keep the disease out of Brazilian herds.
calendar icon 23 June 2014
clock icon 3 minute read

The pork trade globally, and particularly in Latin America, is under threat following reported outbreaks of classical swine fever in Colombia, leading to partial restriction measures in Brazil, the world's fourth largest exporter of pig meat, reports Terra in Argentina.

The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (Abpa), which brings together producers and exporters of pork and poultry, has demanded additional measures to those provided in March by the government of Dilma Rousseff, after learning of the presence of 45 outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) in Colombia.

Abpa president, Francisco Turra, told the news agency, 247: "As the fourth largest exporter of pork, Brazil needs to protect its herds and that is a message that has been reiterated by Abpa."

In March, the Ministry of Agriculture supported the association and ordered the quarantine of live pigs from Colombia and other countries with PED, such as the United States, while France was established in the first market to suspend importation of these animals.

At the time, Abpa warned of the need to impose temporary restrictions, not only the entry of live pigs but also on other materials such as porcine and bovine plasma, from the US.

Brazil exports pork to over 70 countries and in recent months, it has gained ground in export markets from countries affected by the PED, such as the US, Mexico and Canada.

"That position which benefits Brazil needs to be preserved," added Mr Turra in support of the need for further restrictions.

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