Newcastle disease disrupts international chicken trade

Brazil is halting chicken exports to the European Union and Argentina after a virulent poultry disease was found on a commercial farm, disrupting shipments from the world’s largest exporter.  A chicken farm in Rio Grande do Sul state has been shut after the presence of the Newcastle virus was confirmed on Wednesday, according to the country’s agriculture ministry. The birds at the site are set to be destroyed as part of measures to stop the illness from spreading. The South American nation is also suspending exports of chicken, eggs and other poultry-based products from the southern state, which borders Uruguay, to other countries including China, India, South Africa and Mexico, according to a notice issued by the ministry. Read more