EN 
PT_BR 
The governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, took advantage of the meeting with the vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Zhao Zenglian, to reinforce the request for the resumption of chicken meat exports from the state to the Chinese market. The meeting took place this Tuesday (24).
Santa Catarina is currently the second largest Brazilian exporter of chicken meat to China. However, after confirmation of an isolated outbreak of bird flu in Rio Grande do Sul, the Chinese government temporarily suspended all purchases of chicken from Brazil as a preventive measure. “We are the state that takes the greatest care of animal health. We have Japan as an example, one of the most demanding buyers in the world, which is the largest importer of chicken meat from Santa Catarina. I have no doubt that the Chinese also understand the value we place on the excellent agricultural defense system that we deliver to the world with serious prevention work,” said the governor.
Santa Catarina is currently the second largest Brazilian exporter of chicken meat to China – Photo: Disclosure/Secom GOVSC
When mentioning the example of Japan, the governor highlighted that the country, recognized for having one of the strictest health systems in the world, analyzed the situation technically and decided to continue importing chicken meat from Santa Catarina, as it understands that the focus of the disease is restricted to a single city in Rio Grande do Sul. Jorginho Mello also highlighted that Santa Catarina has never recorded, in its entire history, a single case of avian flu on commercial farms, precisely thanks to the strict health control adopted by the state. “Santa Catarina’s animal health defense system is a reference, recognized internationally. Our commitment is to reinforce, based on technical evidence and institutional dialogue, that Santa Catarina offers security for the resumption of chicken meat exports”, emphasizes the State Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Chiodini.
During the meeting, Cidasc president Celles Regina de Matos presented technical details about the biosafety measures and preventive isolation established between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul to ensure the protection of Santa Catarina's livestock. “Cidasc's activity is to promote health, which is why sanitary protection in all production chains of our agriculture and livestock is an ongoing task,” emphasizes Celles Regina de Matos.
Finally, Governor Jorginho Mello invited the Chinese authorities for an official visit to Santa Catarina, with the aim of presenting the state's level of health control in person. The Chinese delegation responded positively to the invitation, paving the way for progress in negotiations.
