Israeli Agriculture Ministry Revokes Approval for Brazilian Poultry Plant Amid Import Market Dispute

The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture has reversed its February approval of a Brazilian poultry plant, in which Israeli company Baladi invested, blocking the plant from exporting frozen chicken to Israel. Dr. Sergio Dolev, acting director of the Veterinary Services at the ministry, informed Baladi that the plant AVES LTDA SIF3482 was removed from the list of approved exporters due to concerns over production processes and Brazil's regulatory oversight meeting Israeli standards. Dolev emphasized the decision was made based on professional considerations and responsibility for public health and animal welfare, adding that if Brazilian authorities seek to renew the approval process, Israeli veterinary experts are prepared to conduct a thorough inspection.

This development is part of an ongoing conflict between Baladi, which aims to open the Israeli poultry market to imports, and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Chief Rabbinate, which have been obstructing the process. Earlier this year, Baladi filed an administrative petition demanding the ministry list the Brazilian plant as an authorized importer after investing 21 million shekels. The plant was briefly approved following the petition but was removed after the resignation of Tamir Goshen, the then head of Veterinary Services, who had initially approved it.

Simultaneously, the Chief Rabbinate has delayed granting kosher certification to the Brazilian plant. After Baladi's legal challenge, the Rabbinate has taken about a year without a decision. Last month, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled the Rabbinate must issue a certification decision within 120 days, rejecting Baladi's opposition to the extension. The court expects the Rabbinate to complete its process within this timeframe, potentially allowing imports to begin.

Baladi had anticipated market opening following the Rabbinate's expected approval, but the Agriculture Ministry's latest revocation presents a new obstacle. The ministry stated it will continue efforts to expand import sources to complement local production but will not compromise on food safety or animal welfare standards.