A delegation of U.S. inspectors is in Brazil this week to evaluate the prevention measures in place for Brazil's poultry industry against Newcastle disease.
At stake is a potential approval, years down the line, for Brazil's entire poultry sector as Newcastle-free.
The group includes veterinary officers from the National Center for Import Export (NCIE), which takes on requests for sanitary inspection from countries like Brazil that want U.S. approval for future export opportunities.
The center operates under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), within the USDA.
“We're here on request of the Brazilian government to inspect (the poultry industry) for freedom of Newcastle.
It's our second trip here gathering information, and after this we may develop a risk assessment report, which can be used in the future to possibly change (U.S.) regulations, and consider Brazil free of Newcastle,” Dr. Silvia Kreindel, senior veterinary officer with NCIE, told Meatingplace while on the road in Brazil. “This is still a long process for the U.S. which could take several years still for Brazil.”
Newcastle is a highly contagious disease that affects both domestic and wild birds. Its effects are most notably felt in large aviaries, because of its ability to spread rapidly and cause huge economic losses.
The disease has hit endemic status in the past in several countries.
The American inspectors are visiting the Brazilian states of Rondonia, Goias, Bahia, Parana, Sao Paulo and the federal district of Brasilia, through Oct. 11.
Officials from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture will accompany the inspections in each state, which will include various poultry farms, laboratories, processing plants and veterinary service offices.
The U.S. inspectors want to see in detail how Brazil carries out its surveillance program for the disease. The states of Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul were recently recognized as free of Newcastle disease by Chile.
Source: meatingplace
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