The Brazilian Association of Swine Genetics Companies (ABEGS) sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) with information about the forecast of exporting more than 5,000 swine breeders by its affiliates in 2023. The goal is to help prepare operations by inspectors of the national, state, and municipal Animal and Plant Health System (APPS), in view of recent updates to the requirements for the export of swine breeders by Mercosur, which requires a higher number of collections and tests.
ABEGS highlighted that the updates require greater attention from Technical Managers and Animal and Plant Health Inspectors in export quarantines, as well as make opening and sampling deadlines more detailed and, at times, shorter. The association also requested clarifications on which stages of the quarantine process the presence of the Official Veterinary Service (SVO) is required.
In response to the letter, MAPA stated that, if it is not possible to follow up on all stages of certification, the presence of the SVO is imperative during the opening and closing stages of the quarantine.
The Ministry also clarified that, in cases where the SVO does not attend the collections, the Technical Manager responsible for the quarantine hired by the company must be present and the results must be made available to the SVO at the time of the quarantine closure or immediately, in case of positive results.
According to the president of ABEGS, Alexandre Rosa, MAPA’s response is considered a victory for the association, as it gives more autonomy to companies that are committed to ensuring the quality of swine production for export, strengthening the image of the sector in the international market.
“The presence of the SVO during the opening and closing stages of the quarantine is an important measure to ensure the reliability of the certification process, however in the other stages the company’s Technical Manager is highly qualified to perform the collection activities and ensure the dissemination of information to the official service. Without a doubt, the Ministry’s position will bring greater agility to quarantines and the export process,” explains Alexandre. Click here to see MAPA’s response.
