Cape Town: Import restrictions on live poultry and poultry products from Brazil have been lifted. This decision follows what the Department of Agriculture describes as extensive engagements between South African and Brazilian veterinary authorities.

According to Nam News Network, the confirmation that the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), first detected on 15 May 2025 in a breeder establishment located in the municipality of Montenegro, a state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, has been contained and eradicated, led to the lifting of these restrictions. However, as a precautionary measure, the department has stated that products packed in their final packaging between 1 May and 18 June 2025 will temporarily remain restricted. This action aligns with risk mitigation standards to ensure the continued safety of South Africa's animal health status and its trade partners.

The Department of Agriculture has assured that it remains vigilant and will continue to monitor the situation closely. The current lifting of the suspension may be reconsidered should new information indicate that the outbreak is spreading to other areas within Brazil.

Minister Steenhuisen emphasized that this development underscores the department's commitment to science-based decision-making and the importance of maintaining open, transparent, and technically sound channels of communication between trading partners, as the statement concluded.