Chile suspends poultry imports from Argentina over bird flu

Chile suspended poultry imports from Argentina on Monday after detecting an outbreak of avian influenza, while resuming imports from Brazil, its main supplier, which had faced similar restrictions since May.

Chile's Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (Agriculture and Livestock Service, SAG) reported the suspension.

Argentina is Chile’s third-largest supplier of poultry meat, accounting for eight percent of the total. The Chilean market is led by Brazil, which provides 57 percent of annual shipments, according to official data.

Imports from Argentina were halted following “the detection of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a commercial laying farm in Los Toldos, Buenos Aires Province,” SAG said in a statement.

After taking a similar measure against Brazil on May 16, SAG on Monday lifted the ban on poultry products from that country.

Once the Official Gazette of Chile published “the recognition of Brazil as a country free from highly pathogenic avian influenza, poultry imports resumed,” the agency stated.

“This is good news. Smooth communication with Brazil’s counterpart institutions allowed for the reopening of a market that is especially significant for domestic poultry consumption,” said Agriculture Minister Ignacia Fernández, as quoted in the statement.

– TIMES/AFP