Imports of "Brazilian Chicken" to Resume as Early as Mid-June

Ministry of Agriculture to Issue Administrative Notice on Import Health Requirements for Brazilian Poultry
Imports to Resume First from HPAI-Free Regions Only

Following the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in Brazil, the import ban on Brazilian chicken, which was imposed on May 15, is expected to be lifted as early as mid-June.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on June 10 that it will issue an administrative notice by June 20 regarding the proposed amendment to the import health requirements reflecting these changes.

On the 3rd, at Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul, chicken is being sold at a discount as part of the government's policy to stabilize agricultural and livestock product prices. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained, "We have completed negotiations with Brazil on regionalization for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and the proposed amendment to the import health requirements, which allows imports of chicken and other products from HPAI-free regions in Brazil, will be issued as an administrative notice. Imports are expected to resume as early as from shipments departing Brazil on June 21."

The Korean government imposed a complete ban on imports of poultry meat and poultry products from Brazil starting May 17, two days after the outbreak of highly pathogenic AI was confirmed in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 15.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the affected farm completed disinfection and culling measures on May 20. The Korean government has been in discussions with the Brazilian authorities and concluded negotiations on June 9.

According to the newly announced amendment, imports of chicken will be permitted from Brazilian states where no HPAI cases have occurred, and imports of breeding stock and similar products will be permitted from cities where HPAI has not been detected. Brazilian chicken accounts for about 86% of imported chicken distributed in Korea, and as food service businesses using Brazilian chicken as an ingredient faced supply shortages, negotiations were expedited.

After imports resume, chicken shipped from Brazil will undergo AI sampling inspections in Korea before being distributed domestically. There remains a possibility that imports could be fully resumed for chicken produced throughout Brazil, including regions where no AI cases have occurred. An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "For now, imports will resume only from HPAI-free regions. If the Brazilian government can prove that AI has not been detected, full-scale imports may resume as before."