Sergio Massa made a key decision on imports so that bird flu does not affect consumption

After a meeting held this afternoon with officials of the National Service for Health and Quality of Agricultural Food (Senas), the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, and the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Juan José Bahillo, announced new measures for strengthen prevention against bird flu (AI).

The authorities reported it This Tuesday, the total number of infected rose to 8, after The Senas laboratory confirmed 3 new cases of bird flu in backyard birds in the province of Córdoba, in the towns of Villa del Rosario, Deheza and Baldisera.

In this sense, after assessing the progress of the virus together with the President of Senas, Diana Guillen, and vice president Rodolfo Acerbi, government arranged extreme measures for the import of genetics and poultry products to prevent a virus that affects birds from entering the commercial circuit.

Furthermore, from a A billion dollar investment public funds, it was agreed to reinforce Senas with incorporating staff; purchase of appropriate clothing, laboratory equipmentequipment, rodaluvios border reinforcement, among others.

Agriculture pointed out that while avian influenza is found in wild and backyard birds, Argentina will be able to preserve its sanitary status, which means power maintain the normal flow of exports and, in parallel, prevent the disease from entering the commercial circuit.

The announced new measures were added to those already implemented within the framework of the health emergency declared by Senasa with resolution 147/23 which foresees raking wild bird outbreak areas and yards to identify other sick birds; strengthening of controls and actions epidemiological surveillance at border crossings, at all border crossings, with Chile, Bolivia and Uruguay.

The state of emergency provides for ilvehicle disinfection, passenger control; mobilization of specialist bird and emergency agents from other agencies or Senas regional centers, to offices located at the borders; continuity in early warning awareness campaigns; awareness, training and recommendations for biosecurity measures on commercial farms; and articulation together with other public entities in supervision and in controlling the movement of birds, products and by-products of birds.

Official sources pointed out that preventive tasks are carried out in coordinated work with the national ministries of safety and health, national parks, provincial and municipal authorities, the manufacturing sector and veterinary schools.

commercial circle

From Argentine Chamber of Poultry Producers and Industrialists (CAPIA) indicated that if the situation worsens “There is only a stock of processed food (egg powder), but not fresh produce, which represents 95% of local consumption”.

Regarding the egg trade, they described that although it takes on twice the tax burden of meat, soy, milk and chicken, it is not worth it Export rights which allows it to maintain a low price in the domestic market compared to other proteins such as meat.

For this reason, from the private sector, the greatest concern was focused on the restrictions that could be put in place major customers such as Japan, Russia and Denmark against the health situation in poultry production.

Polls

He confirmed the revelations that were added this Tuesday analysis carried out by the Senas National Laboratory on samples taken from dead chickens and birds in the yard. So far, 8 confirmed cases have been registered in wild and backyard birds in Córdoba (5), Salta (1), Santa Fe (1) and Jujuy (1).

Currently, before cases are detected, inspections are conducted of facilities and conditions of the area or facility where the animals were found; demarcation of a perimeter around the site of the outbreak for raking and checking for possible dead birds or with symptoms compatible with the disease.

In addition, the health authority consults with neighbors, property owners or provincial environmental protection authorities, who have provided notifications in case of suspected mortality or symptoms in birds; establishing checkpoints to prevent the entry and exit of sick animals or personnel who have recently handled them.

While in the case of backyard birds, possession is prohibited, and birds that were in the place where mortality was determined and positive samples are sanitary killed.