Brazil Opens Bird Flu Vaccination Debate Amid First Commercial Outbreak
In response to Brazil's first confirmed avian influenza outbreak on a commercial poultry farm, Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro is calling for a global discussion on bird flu vaccination—a topic with major implications for global poultry trade and animal health policy.
Speaking at the World Organization for Animal Health meeting in Paris on June 6, Favaro proposed that Brazil host a global animal health conference in 2026, positioning the country as a central player in shaping future strategies for managing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Vaccination remains a controversial option. While it could offer a proactive line of defense against outbreaks, many countries—including key poultry importers—currently impose trade restrictions on products from vaccinated flocks, fearing difficulty in distinguishing vaccinated animals from infected ones.
Favaro acknowledged these trade risks but urged for a collaborative, science-based conversation between producers and trade partners. He called for waiving export restrictions in cases where vaccination is scientifically justified and responsibly managed.
He also advocated for a regionalization model, where trade bans would apply only to specific affected areas, rather than entire countries—an approach aligned with international standards but not always accepted in global markets.
Meanwhile, Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of chicken, has already faced bird flu-related trade challenges, highlighting the economic stakes in the ongoing debate. However, the country also received a major boost this week, with a formal certification as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, which may expand market access for Brazilian beef to more restrictive markets like Japan.
As nations grapple with growing HPAI outbreaks worldwide, Brazil’s push for a balanced, internationally coordinated policy may help shape the future of poultry disease management—balancing biosecurity, food security, and global commerce.
