RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs released a note in which they ask the Philippine government to “immediately” lift the “undue” embargo on chicken meat from Brazil. The Asian country adopted the measure recently, alleging potential risk of consumer contamination with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“There is no scientific evidence to substantiate the risk of humans being contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus through food of any kind; the Philippine government has also failed to provide evidence to justify its decision to ban the import of chicken meat; and the compulsory steps, according to Article 5 of the WTO SPS Agreement, have been disregarded in the case,” the Ministries say in the note.
“As a result, Brazil will take appropriate action with the World Trade Organization unless the Philippine government either lifts the ban on chicken imports or immediately provides a credible scientific justification for maintaining the ban.”
According to the statement, the Philippines are currently the only country to impose restrictions on Brazilian chicken meat due to the alleged risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, without presenting any scientific evidence to justify its decision.
Brazil stresses that it has replied to all questions from its Philippine counterparts, having provided detailed documentation on regulations, guidelines, and protocols followed by Brazilian companies in the food sector. “The current Philippine government ban on Brazilian imports of chicken meat has failed to follow the principles and procedures, both required and binding, set forth in Article 5 of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), which represents a clear violation of said Article of the Agreement,” the note states.
Source: Estadão Conteúdo