Priscilla Mazenotti
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília – Even without bird flu, Brazil is feeling the negative impact the disease is having on the poultry industry. Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, speaking at the launch of the National Plan for Prevention of Bird Flu (Plano Nacional de Prevenção da Gripe Aviária), declared that there is no reason for Brazilians to stop eating chicken. Rodrigues pointed out that Brazil has become the world's third biggest poultry producer and its main poultry exporter.

The minister said bird flu has had a negative impact on a growing market. "We were calculating a 4.5% growth per year in poultry production between now and 2015. Although Brazil does not have bird flu and may even escape the disease, its presence in other parts of the world has had a negative impact on us. Prices have fallen as sales drop. Production is down which reduces the demand for corn and soy which is used for feed. And the domino effect is now taking away jobs.The sector employs 4 million people," said the minister.

Rodrigues praised the prevention plan saying it would increase vigilance of migrating birds and border inspection of imported poultry products. Brazilian laboratories would also be modernized to make them more efficient in evaluating the disease and treating it if it comes. "We are meeting all the needs the situation calls for and are prepared to confront the problem," said the minister.

Translation: Allen Bennett