The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has selected Brazil to host a global event on preventing and controlling bird flu, despite the country confirming its first outbreak on a chicken breeder farm in May.
Bird flu has spread worldwide, forcing the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry, while also being detected in dairy cows, cats, and humans.
Jorge Meza, FAO’s representative for Brazil, praised the country’s strong biosecurity measures and said it had valuable expertise to share. “Brazil has a lot to share with other nations,” Meza said on Friday. “National systems can be strengthened through Brazil’s regional leadership, which would involve information sharing, capacity building, and transfer of good practices.”
The FAO stressed that a coordinated global approach is needed to mitigate the devastating impact of bird flu, which has triggered trade bans against Brazil and other poultry exporters. “No country or sector can face this crisis alone,” the agency said in a statement.
Brazil exports chicken to around 150 countries. Although some importers relaxed restrictions after Brazil brought the outbreak under control in June, its largest buyer, China, has yet to resume purchases.
So far, Brazil has avoided large-scale outbreaks among its commercial poultry flocks, which have recently devastated farms in Europe and the United States. However, vulnerabilities remain at smaller chicken and egg producers, particularly those using free-range or cage-free systems, which are more exposed to wild birds.
FAO livestock expert Andres Gonzalez highlighted the importance of mapping all poultry farms to reduce risk. “This allows for direct contact with producers, before an emergency, to disseminate best practices. And, if there is an emergency, apply control measures as soon as possible,” Gonzalez explained.
