By Amy Musgrave
The country has partially lifted its import suspension on all poultry and poultry products from Brazil on Thursday.
The decision follows the Agriculture Department receiving the second report from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, which details how that country has contained its avian flu to one state.
“We are glad that a month after the outbreak was reported in Brazil, we have been able to assess and confirm that risks associated with the importation of poultry and poultry products from Brazil are insignificant. We are closely monitoring the situation,” said Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.
South Africa joins many other countries that have also partially lifted their import suspensions. It did warn though, that partial lift would be withdrawn if the outbreak extended to other states in Brazil.
The department’s veterinary services engaged their Brazilian counterparts to determine the extent of the outbreak, steps taken to contain the outbreak, and whether there are no other outbreaks on other farms or in any other state.
Information received from the Brazilian authorities demonstrated that poultry products produced outside of the 10km radius from the outbreak were not affected and posed no health risk.
Brazil, which is the largest poultry exporter in the world, declared itself free of the bird flu virus on commercial flocks after observing a 28-day period without any new commercial farm outbreaks, the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry said on Wednesday.
It accounts for 39% of the global chicken trade.
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