SA keeps poultry imports from Brazil open despite another chicken disease outbreak

South Africa will continue importing poultry and poultry products from Brazil despite a new outbreak of Newcastle disease in the South American country, as long as the exporters fulfill stringent veterinary health criteria. The Department of Agriculture was informed on October 20, 2026, by Brazil about the Newcastle disease outbreak in the Santa Catarina state.

Newcastle disease is a virulent viral disease that impacts both domestic and wild birds globally. The department affirmed on Wednesday that the veterinary health certificates negotiated between South Africa and Brazil enable the trade of fresh poultry meat, hatching eggs, and day-old chicks to persist during a Newcastle disease outbreak, provided they adhere to the necessary stipulations.

This follows the recent Newcastle disease outbreak, which occurred after the Avian influenza outbreak, commonly referred to as bird flu, a highly contagious viral infection primarily affecting wild aquatic birds and domestic poultry, with potential to spread to mammals like dairy cows, cats, minks, and humans. The department emphasized that the certificates necessitate that the birds originate from premises where no cases of Newcastle disease have been recorded within the past six months, including within a 10-kilometer radius for fresh poultry meat.

Furthermore, the abattoir and cutting plant must not be located in an area infected by Newcastle disease. The department outlined measures to facilitate trade, stating that for hatching eggs and day-old chicks, the farms and relevant facilities must remain disease-free for 12 months and must not be situated in a Newcastle disease-infected zone.

The department communicated to Brazil's veterinary authorities that South Africa expects all export consignments to comply with the required certification standards. The department expressed South Africa's appreciation for Brazil's timely notification and ongoing cooperation between their respective veterinary authorities. These measures enable trade to proceed while ensuring animal health in South Africa.