Brazil Bird Flu Prompts China Poultry Import Ban

Brazil, the world's largest poultry exporter, has reported its first outbreak of avian influenza on a commercial farm in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, prompting China to impose a 60-day ban on Brazilian poultry imports. Other major trading partners, such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE, are also key importers, raising concerns about potential further trade restrictions. Major poultry producers BRF and JBS have several processing plants in the affected state. Authorities have isolated the outbreak area, culled birds on the farm, and launched investigations within a 10 km radius. Notifications were sent to international animal health organizations and trade partners, while the agriculture ministry states containment measures are in place and the situation is under control. The outbreak is Brazil's first in commercial poultry operations after earlier detections in wild and backyard birds.