Bird flu: the first economic effects are already felt, and exports from a key destination are closed

A little more than a week after the discovery of the first case of bird flu in the national territory, the Government has strengthened prevention measures so that the virus does not spread to the commercial sector, but The closure of the main destination market for Argentine eggs was confirmed this Thursday.

In the last few hours, the National Service for Health and Quality of Agricultural Food (SENASA) submitted a request to the Japanese Poultry Advisor in Argentina after learning of Temporary suspension of the entry of products from this chain from South America, due to the risk of bird flu transmission (AI).

in dialogue with Chronicleran authority from SENASA indicated that Japan's decision was not in accordance with the standards World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) which continues to maintain the state "virus negative" for Argentina.

"We have made a formal request to suspend the restrictions with the local representative and we hope that Japan will reverse the decision in the next few hours," he said. Rodolfo Acerbivice president of SENAS.

In this regard, he said that among the products sent by the local industry i egg powder which is in accordance with the pasteurization process, which makes infection technically impossible and he insisted on it the virus does not circulate: "no clinical cases in broilers or egg products".

In addition, he pointed out that other strong markets such as The European Union, Saudi Arabia and South Africa maintain normal trade.

In the last hours, in order to "avoid the spread of bird flu" organism banned the sale of live birds in all country and increased controls on imported inputs.

International organizations, such as SENASA, assure that the virus is far from becoming a pandemic because it should adapt to humans and begin to be transmitted from human to human, therefore, concern is focused on economic effects.

Argentina, that 11 cases were confirmed in ten days Among the hundreds of tests carried out by the SENASA laboratory, it closely monitors the evolution of bird flu, but both the public and private sectors remain "as far as possible" from the bird vaccination campaign.

Far from vaccination, worst case scenario

Contrary to expectations, in this case vaccination can drag the industry into a complex scenario. "If we put the vaccine in, we would lose exports"explained the poultry entrepreneur, Juan Kutulasfor Radio Nacional de Salta, and pointed out the importance maintain virus-free market status.

In this sense, he indicated that, in case of joining the vaccination several foreign markets have been put at riskwhich implies economic damage for the sector that liquidates annually about 300 million dollars.

"The world does not vaccinate"he emphasized Rodolfo Acerbivice president of SENASA and described that the effects of vaccination can complicate monitoring. "After it is not known whether the birds are sick or vaccinated -and show similar symptoms- and therefore, if there are antibodies, they must be sacrificed".

In this sense, although some countries in the region are evaluating it, Acerbi said yes "vaccination will confuse us" and explained that "today, there are no vaccines that allow us to distinguish between the antibodies created by the vaccine or the disease".

For this reason, in accordance with the manufacturer's proposal, he pointed out that "vaccination would be the worst thing that could happen to us".

Risk of suspensions

Other measures are also included Conditions for importing bird genetics from abroad and their transfer within the country.

Javier Pridathe head of the Argentine Chamber of Poultry Producers and Industrialists (CAPIA) emphasized that the situation is under control and explained that "Faced with Chile, which has 30% of Argentina's territory and already has 70 confirmed cases, the outlook is positive".

Although he pointed out that controls for imported inputsSo far they are not creating delays or complications in the industry warned of the decision Japanone of the main destination countries for Argentine eggs, which also formalized more frequent information seeking from local suppliers.

"The intention is to get information about the state of the situation more often," he said. On temporary ban, a signal that pays attention to the export market Prida believed that the suspension can be "raised" quickly. "We offer a very good quality product at a very low price"he emphasized.

So far, the domestic market did not reflect the widespread increase in the prices of chicken, eggs and derivatives but the situation could change if exports become more complicated.

As for the egg trade, CAPIA describes 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 on the domestic market compared to other proteins.