March 2, 2023

 

Argentina suspends all poultry exports after detecting bird flu in the country

 

Argentina has suspended all poultry exports after the country confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu in industrial birds at a broiler farm in the southern province of Rio Negro, Buenos Aires Times reported.

 

Argentina's National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) body confirmed the news, and as a result, the nation temporarily loses its status as a disease-free nation and has automatically suspended the export of poultry products in accordance with international standards.

 

According to a tweet from Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Minister Juan Jose Bahillo, this is the first time the virus was detected at a broiler chicken farm in the nation.

 

Government officials said normal poultry production for domestic consumption will continue in Argentina because eating poultry meat and eggs won't spread bird flu.

 

While the international suspension is in effect, industrial farms that typically export their goods will be able to continue to sell poultry in domestic markets.

 

Although the majority of domestic production is sold on the domestic market, Argentina exported poultry products worth more than US$380 million to more than 56 countries.

 

Senasa has confirmed 25 cases of bird flu in Argentina, with 21 among backyard birds and three in wild birds. The last case is the broiler farm in Rio Negro.

 

There have been numerous bird flu cases reported throughout the nation, with 13 cases in Cordoba, four in the province of Buenos Aires, two in Rio Negro, two in Santa Fe, one in Jujuy, one in Neuquen, one in San Luis, and one in Salta being confirmed.

 

The broiler farm that produced the commercially positive case was found in Mainque, Ro Negro Province, an area with "low poultry density," according to officials.

 

-      Buenos Aires Times