Once again Brazil will be able to export chicken meat to China, which is leading buyer of Brazilian agribusiness products. The information was given by the secretary of Agricultural Defense at the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Inácio Kroetz.
Kroetz was in Beijing until December 3 negotiating with the vice minister of Administration, Quarantine, Supervision and Inspection of the Popular Republic of China, Wei Chuanzhong.
The special advisor at the Brazilian Poultry Union (UBA), Ricardo Santin, explained that 22 slaughterhouses in Brazil had already been cleared by the Chinese inspectors some time ago, but that the license was lacking for businessmen in China to be able to import the national product. The license was agreed upon today during the negotiation process.
According to Kroetz, raw chicken meat trade with China should start immediately. Initially, 24 slaughterhouses, located in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás and Minas Gerais, have already been authorized to export to the Chinese market.
"This is a very important development, because a partnership has been created in order to solve our issues. They will now be solved jointly, with no disputes or misunderstandings," said Kroetz.
Sector representatives had already stated yesterday that, despite the reduction in exports as a consequence of the global financial crisis, they were optimistic about next year due to the opening up of new markets, such as the Chinese one.
In addition to the agreement for chicken meat, Kroetz claimed that the two governments signed a protocol that defines conditions for inspection, quarantine and veterinary health concerning pork, as well as criteria for the granting of certification and credentials to establishments.
ABr