Francisco Turra He was Minister of Agriculture in the first term of former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. For over 12 years, he also commanded the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), where he today acts as Chairman of the Advisory Board. He closely followed the construction of sanitary controls so that Brazil would be immune from avian influenza, But it is not so surprised by the first case of the disease in the country.
“We sought, in any way, to contain the avian influenza, that it had practically occurred in all countries. It happened because it was almost inevitable. Given the events around the world, it would be a miracle that we will be unscathed,” Turra told, to Infomoney.
The Executive admits that The effects of the new virus on chicken exports should repeat the logic of when a focus of Newcastle’s disease was identified last year, Also in Rio Grande do Sul. Sales abroad were shaken and some markets have not yet bought from the state. But the country has managed to remain the largest chicken meat exporter in the world.
Turra says companies in the sector are acting in an integrated manner in compliance with protocols to prevent avian influenza from spreading beyond. These efforts, he said, must preserve Brazil’s reputation in the global market.
“The important thing is to know how to contain. This concept Brazil has and is what seems most important to me,” he says. Another point that plays in favor of the country, he points out, is the lack of markets that can replace it in exports. “There is no country that has surpluses like Brazil,” he said.
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Check out the full interview.
Infoomoney: Brazil has gained protagonism in chicken meat exports because it has not had a case of aviary influence for decades. Do you see risks of this setback harm this status that the country has achieved?
Francisco Turra: With all the work done to contain the avian influence, Brazil has become, since 2005, the largest exporter in the world, with 37% participation in world exports. And besides, it is an extremely professional sector, it has 4 million direct and indirect jobs. It is very important, especially for the small property. Our integration system is a model in the world because it makes the small producer a businessman. There is even a specific law of integration. […] But effectively, Brazil was already more prepared with protocols, studies, science together, the training done in a case of having aviary influence. That is, the World Health Organization and also the Ministry of Agriculture itself took into action. That is, egg disposal, poultry slaughter, regionalization, disinfection, sanitary corridors, all measures were taken. So this makes us imagine that the damage is smaller and that we can overcome this, no doubt.
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Infoomoney: But don’t you think the appearance of the disease stains the reputation that Brazil has built?
Francisco Turra: When Newcastle’s disease happened, we had the demonstration that the world believes in Brazil’s sanity work. Have or not to have [uma doença] It is a matter, sometimes, of logic. But the important thing is to know how to contain. This concept Brazil has and is what seems to me most important.
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IM: Last year, the focus of Newcastle’s disease in Rio Grande do Sul eventually impacted chicken exports for about three months. Do you believe this can be repeated with Avian flu too?
FT: It is a picture that is normal. By the protocols that importing countries have with Brazil, there is a temporary suspension [de importações]at least, from the state where it happened [o caso da doença]. At most, the country as a whole, as it is for many. But this is something that, as you show the ability to contain, react, you will regain. Now there are longer damage, especially in the region where it happened. The logic was this, for example, for Newcastle. So far Rio Grande do Sul has not resumed sales to the Chilean and Chinese market, for example. We were already resuming, being tidy and we had the misfortune of what happened now.
IM: About the risk that influenza will reach other locations, do you believe that the previous care Brazil had will be enough to prevent the disease from spreading?
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FT: There is a risk of new outbreaks because the case occurred in a farm of fertile eggs, which had already made sales to some countries and other Brazilian states. This is now being traced and the eggs that are there [na granja] They are being discarded. It is a slightly more sensitive detail, because the [contaminação] It happened exactly where it could never happen. If it had been in a simple aviary, it would be easier to say that it is already contained. It takes more work, but this work is being done to go after the damage.
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IM: Buyers who announced the suspension of imports in Brazil have alternative markets today?
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FT: There is no country today that can replace Brazil because the volume [de exportação] It is very large. The United States are the largest producer, but it has almost no exportable surpluses. The European Union is an importer. There is no country that have surpluses like Brazil. Those who have, are already exporting, so don’t count. This counts in favor of Brazil.
IM: And how are companies in the sector dealing with the presence of Avian flu in the country? What actions ABPA has perceived from these great players protein sector?
FT: They are all absolutely integrated, united, accepting and fulfilling protocols. The case happened in a place where the company has the means to help contain, conditions to invest in containment. And in cases where there is difficulty, the solidarity of companies, the government, the fund that we have strong in Rio Grande do Sul for the sanitary defense, help.
IM: Floods in Rio Grande do Sul completed a year recently. How does the arrival of Avian influenza in the state impact the recovery of the agricultural sector in the state?
FT: It is as if Egypt’s pests had repeated themselves. We had covid, flood, drought, everything we could, including Newcastle and now avian influenza. But it seems that all this has also become training for overcoming.
