Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa) announced Wednesday the opening of Israel's market to sheep meat exports from the South American country, following approval of a slaughterhouse by Israel's Veterinary and Animal Health Service (IVSAH). This milestone is expected to boost sheep production and create economic opportunities, building on last year's record animal product exports to Israel worth US$ 147.6 million.
Singapore's Food Agency (SFA) concluded an audit of Paraguay's meat industry, focusing on animal health and food safety controls, in a move to open up to Paraguayan beef, pork, and poultry exports. The evaluation, conducted between March 3 and 11, involved inspections of meat processing plants and meetings with Senacsa (Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service), as well as representatives from the beef, pork, and poultry sectors, including the Paraguayan Meat Chamber and Rural Association.
Paraguay's Lower House unanimously passed a resolution objecting to the US Senate's decision to ban meat imports from the South American country while urging lawmakers in Washington DC to honor the technical reports attesting to the safety of the merchandise, it was reported in Asunción.
According to Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa) President Dr. José Carlos Martin, there were already three confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in the South American country's Chaco region by Sunday, while two others were still under investigation.
Paraguay twelve-month accumulated meat and meat products exports (mostly beef) reached 1.6bn dollars according to primary information said the head of the country's National quality and health animal services, Senacasa, Hugo Idoyaga, which represents a 20% increase in value over the 1.3 bn. dollars of 2013.
Paraguay beef exports soared 54.94% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2012. Shipments totalled 65.000 tons equivalent to 337 million dollars against 44.000 tons and 218 million dollars, according to official stats from the Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa).
Chile has re-opened its market to Paraguayan beef announced on Tuesday to his peers Sixto Miranda, head of the country’s Rural Society, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Jose Fernandez Estigarribia.
Three Paraguayan abattoirs have been re-licensed by Israel to export boneless beef, according to the Paraguayan Rural Association, ARP, based on information from the country’s livestock and food sanitary services, Senacsa.
Paraguay declared on Wednesday animal sanitary emergency in the district of San Pedro, 400 kilometres north of the capital Asuncion where this week an outbreak of foot and mouth disease was confirmed in a farm.
Paraguay’ Livestock Sanitary Office has confirmed the isolation of a cattle farm in the north of the country where an apparent outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been reported. The farm is approximately 35 kilometres from the outbreak reported last September.