EGYPT - The Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef) stayed in Cairo, Egypt, from October 20 to 22, in order to attend the 2nd Global Conference on Animal Welfare, promoted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

On the occasion, the technical advisor, Sulivan Alves, disclosed the work of the organisation in the area of good practices and animal welfare.

“The presence of Abef at the event was another opportunity for us to show that Brazil is perfecting its techniques for maintaining the quality and sanity of the chicken meat we export,” said Sulivan, according to a press release issued by the association.

The quality of meat is one of the main factors that led Brazil to become the global leader in chicken meat exports. Presently, the country exports to South America, the European Union, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, which is the leading destination of Brazilian exports of the product. The organisation believes that sales to the region this year should surpass the record attained last year, when 984,000 tonnes were shipped.

Saudi Arabia is the leading buyer in the region, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, Yemen and Oman. From January to August, foreign sales of Brazilian chicken meat totalled US$ 4.8 billion, growth of 56% compared with the same period last year. In all, 2.5 million tonnes were shipped, 17% more than in the same period of 2007.

During the conference, Sulivan also had the opportunity to speak to international representatives on the promotion of course “Best practices in chicken production,” that the Abef gives to affiliated producers and their families. The course is given in the leading poultry producing municipalities in the country.

This year, in order to perfect techniques linked to animal welfare in Brazilian poultry farming, the Abef signed a cooperation agreement with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), so as to ensure export quality.