Madrid, February 18, 2025. In recent weeks, the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF Window) has issued several alert notifications linked to poultry products from Brazil, which has revived concerns about food safety in Mercosur countries. These alerts include the detection of pesticide residues and chlorinated chemicals, which are not permitted in the European Union, as well as the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella in meat products. For this reason, their entry has been refused, but it is impossible to verify the 100% of shipments from Brazil.
From Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, we underline the importance of strengthening controls on imports from Mercosur countries, especially at a time when trade agreements are being sought that could increase the entry of these products into the European market. The growing list of alerts issued by the RASFF exposes the vulnerabilities of the food safety system of these countries and raises serious doubts about the quality and compliance with the health standards required in the EU.
Furthermore, the recent European Commission report, “Final of audit carried out in Brazil from 15 April to 3 May 2024 in order to evaluate the animal health controls in place, in particular on avian influenza in relation to the export of poultry, eggs and their products to the European Union”, calls into question the capacity of the Brazilian authorities to diagnose outbreaks of avian influenza early. The document warns that, although the system offers certain guarantees on compliance with import requirements, surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) may not be sufficient to detect the disease in time, which increases uncertainties regarding the control of exported products.
In this regard, Avianza reiterates its concern about the impact that the Mercosur agreement would have on the European poultry sector. According to the Rabobank report, "EU-Mercosur agreement: Implications for food and agribusiness", this agreement would allow the entry of 180,000 additional tons of poultry meat from Mercosur, which represents an increase of 581 TP3T with respect to current imports from this region and 201 TP3T with respect to total poultry imports in the EU. This increase, together with the deficiencies in Brazilian health controls, could put European food safety at risk, compared to the strict controls that European producers comply with, as reflected in the recent declaration of Spain as free of avian flu by the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Faced with this situation, Avianza urges European authorities to assess the impact of these products on consumer health and to prioritise local production of poultry meat, which is subject to strict quality controls and certifications. It is essential to defend the European poultry industry, which guarantees complete traceability and complies with the most rigorous animal welfare and food safety regulations, offering consumers safe, top-quality products.
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